Quayside clinic a ‘real godsend’
A QUAYSIDE clinic in Brixham, in Devon, has been praised in the light of government plans for the future of the NHS. Last month, the Prime Minister set out a plan to shift the NHS’s focus in England from hospitals to neighbourhood health hubs. In conjunction with the Seafarers Hospital Society, the Christian charity the Fishermen’s Mission — Devon holds a pop-up clinic in Brixham every three months, as part of its “Seafit” initiative. A spare room in the trawler agent’s offices in Brixham harbour converts into a temporary health clinic, accommodating two GPs, a pharmacist, a physiotherapist, and two nurses. Prostate screening is also available. One of the GPs in the area, Dr James Gunning, spoke to BBC Devon about fishermen and their circumstances. “The skippers of the boats and the whole fishing community now know exactly where to find us,” he said. “They’re a community that fits into health inequalities, where a population either can’t access, or struggles to access, normal NHS services.” Similar clinics operate in Folkestone, Peterhead, and other ports around the country. The BBC reports that its analysis of NHS services suggests that coastal communities tend to have higher waiting times for both emergency care and for advance appointments. Critics of the Government’s plan warn against diverting financial provision for health away from hospitals, despite recognising sound intentions. Healthcare unions also raise concerns about staffing. The medics in Brixham, however, are convinced of the benefits of their preventative approach. A retired fish-market worker in Brixham who was diagnosed with prostate cancer as a result of testing at the clinic said: “I was gobsmacked, really, because I didn’t think there was anything wrong with me. “If I never went for the checks, I don’t think I would be here today. So it was a real godsend for them to come down to the quay.”
New Vice-Chancellor for cash-strapped CCCU
THE next Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is to be Professor Claire Ozanne, the university announced this week. CCCU, part of the Cathedrals Group, was founded as a C of E teacher-training college in 1962, and became a university in 2005. Professor Ozanne is currently Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool Hope University (also part of the Cathedrals Group), where, in June, she announced dozens of potential staff redundancies affecting the theology and religious-studies teams (News, 4 July). The current Vice-Chancellor of CCCU, Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, is to step down in January — a decision that he announced in February, when plans to reduce the staffing budget were put into effect. Kent Online reports that 148 staff have since agreed to leave the university. In April, the CCCU branch of the University and College Union passed a vote of no confidence in the university’s leadership, including the Vice-Chancellor and board of governors, over the prospect of staff cuts (News, 11 April).
Commissioners expand housing plans for Northallerton
THE Church Commissioners have submitted an outline planning application for the second phase of a nearly 600-home community in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, Housing Today reports. The Commissioners gained consent for 109 homes on the site in 2023. The new proposal is for 484 homes, a primary school, and a community centre. The 26-hectare site between Stokesley Road and Bullamoor Road forms part of the NOR1 allocation in the Hambleton Local Plan, adopted in 2022. The development will be mixed-use and range from one-bedroom flats to substantial detached family homes, of which 30 per cent will be affordable housing. The Commissioners’ team head of strategic land, Matthew Naylor, said: “We hope to create an inclusive, cross-generational community that will serve its residents well into the future.” The development is part of the Commissioners’ plan to develop 30,000 new homes on church land, of which 9000 will be affordable, as set out in last year’s Coming Home report (News, 10 January).
Worcester Cathedral renews choral appeal
WORCESTER CATHEDRAL has this week launched a new fund-raising appeal to maintain its choirs, organs, and choral tradition, which has previously relied on donations. The Director of Music, Samuel Hudson, said: “No two years are ever the same in a cathedral music department, and, as we approach September, there is always a sense of renewal and fresh beginnings. This year is no different.” Welcoming new choristers and choral and organ scholars, forming a combined treble line, and running a voluntary choir, youth choir, and chamber choir in the community “requires time, careful nurturing, and financial support and I hope you do not mind me asking for your help once again”, he said. worcestercathedral.org.uk
Petition started to amend the Enabling Act
A PARLIAMENTARY petition has been started to amend the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919 — more often known as the Enabling Act, which created the former Church Assembly — “to provide that either House of Parliament may vote to suspend the provisions of the Act for no more than one year, all matters relating to the governance of the Church of England reverting during that time to the status quo ante the 1919 Act”. Started by Matthew Robert Duckett, the petition, which has gained 26 signatures, says that “there is no provision in the 1919 Act for ministers or Parliament to intervene and suspend the Church’s legislative powers in the event of General Synod being unable or unwilling to fulfil its responsibilities. The proposal in this petition would create a measure of accountability to enable this to happen, if Parliament deemed it necessary.”