Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Hampshire County Council has signed a contract with the Argenti Telehealthcare Partnership, led by PA Consulting, to deliver telecare services to vulnerable adults across the county for up to five years.

Telecare uses wireless sensors to help people remain independent in their own homes by minimising risks, promoting a sense of security and giving peace of mind for their families and friends. Telecare systems, which are much less intrusive than traditional home care, range from devices mainly focused on preventing problems - such as a fall or forgetting to take medication - to intervention monitors which check sleep and activity. If the service user requires help, the 24-hour monitoring centre is alerted to respond appropriately.

Telecare provides a bespoke solution for individuals but is only one of many tools available to choose from when designing a care package. Telecare can be used to complement traditional care or be used to replace it. For example someone who requires help with tasks such as gardening will be visited by a carer but they may also have Telecare to remind them to take their medication and detect any falls. Through the contract Telecare will be free for all critical and substantial users making it a more viable choice for people who are looking into different care options.

The wider roll out of Telecare will also offer good value for money for the County Council at a time when funding from government is being dramatically decreased and demand for care is increasing due to an ageing and increasingly frail population with more complex needs. Mainstreaming Telecare is part of the Council's work to transform Adult Services to meet these challenges and sits alongside other new ways of delivering social care - such as Extra-Care schemes to ensure that Hampshire residents continue to receive quality services at the lowest cost.

Councillor Anna McNair Scott, Executive Member for Adult Social Care at Hampshire County Council said:

"People want to stay in a home of their own for as long as possible and Telecare can provide the confidence to enable them to do this. Telecare can significantly improve people's sense of dignity and quality of life, and complements traditional care. For example, someone who remains in a home of their own, but has help with washing or dressing, may also use Telecare to remind them to take their medication or detect any falls. Telecare can also offer people with a learning disability much greater independence as it enables them to travel safely on their own.

"As the average age in the UK rises, due to better health care and nutrition, it will become increasingly important to find more effective ways to care for older people and help them enjoy their lives in the way they choose. Telecare, as part of an overall package of care, is sure to play a more prominent role in future care plans."

Steve Carefull of PA Consulting and the Argenti Programme Director, comments:

"It is tremendously exciting to be partnering with Hampshire County Council on this journey to deploy Telecare at scale. We have brought together a world-beating consortium consisting of PA Consulting Group; Tunstall; O2; CareCalls; Medvivo and Magna Careline. Between us, we have unmatched industry experience and expertise, operating to Telecare Service Association Platinum Standards. As importantly, we all share a passion for assistive technology, believing it to have been long under-exploited as a way to deliver significant benefits to vulnerable people and their carers."

• Telecare wireless alarms and sensors for people in Hampshire

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Hampshire County Council is highlighting safer sex and screening advice to help reduce further the rate of sexually transmitted infections.

Data released by Public Health England indicates a small decrease in the number of new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in local sexual health clinics across the Wessex area which includes Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

However rates of STIs remain high and Public Health England says this suggests that too many people are continuing to put themselves at risk through unsafe sex especially young adults and men who have sex with men.

Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed in Hampshire followed by genital warts and herpes. Those aged under 25 experience the highest STI rates contributing to almost 74 per cent of Chlamydia diagnoses in the area.

Councillor Liz Fairhurst, Hampshire County Council's Executive Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing said: "Left untreated, sexually transmitted infections can lead to a range of complications including ectopic pregnancy, infertility, disability, cancer and premature death. As part of our new public health responsibilities, Hampshire County Council already commissions a range of programmes and services delivered in a variety of community settings that support people to develop and maintain good sexual health.

"Getting screened for HIV and STIs can lead to early diagnosis and treatment, as often these infections have no symptoms. In addition, reducing the number of sexual partners and avoiding overlapping sexual relationships can reduce the risk of being infected with an STI."

Individuals can also significantly reduce their risk of catching or passing on an STI by:

• Always using a condom when having sex with casual and new partners.
• Getting tested regularly if in one of the highest risk groups:
• Sexually active under 25 year olds should be screened for chlamydia every year, and on change of sexual partner
• Men who have sex with men having unprotected sex with casual or new partners should have an HIV/STI screen at least annually, and every three months if changing partners regularly.

• Further information on local sexual health services in Hampshire

Monday, 20 May 2013

With fuel costs rising and continued pressure on household budgets, Hampshire residents have two weeks left to sign up for a collective energy switching scheme that could save them money on their gas and electric bills.

The County Council has joined up with the 13 local authorities across Hampshire (including Portsmouth and Southampton) to set up Switch Hampshire, which allows gas and electricity consumers to combine their purchasing power and get a better deal on bills.

Registering for the scheme is free and simple to do - all you need is your current tariff and energy use in terms of power (KWh) or cost. This information should be included on your annual energy statements or you can find out from your energy provider. There is no obligation to switch and the secure scheme is backed by the County Council.

Each household could save between £60 to £200 a year on energy bills by joining the scheme. Running a collective switching scheme three times a year could result in potential savings of up to £25 million for Hampshire residents.

People can register until 3 June, either online or by calling 01962 846828 (lines open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm). After the closing date, Switch Hampshire will begin negotiations with energy providers to secure the best deals on the strength of this collective buying power.

There is no obligation to switch energy supplier - Switch Hampshire will notify everyone who has registered about the best energy tariffs available to them and manage the process if they do decide to switch.

With around 760,000 households in Hampshire, just two per cent signing up to switch energy supplier through Switch Hampshire would give a combined purchasing power of just over 15,000 customers. The more people who sign up, the more negotiating power Switch Hampshire will have.

Switch Hampshire is part of a larger scheme, the Big Community Switch, involving several London boroughs.

Access to cheaper energy can have significant benefits to those on low incomes, the elderly and families in fuel poverty, including making a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. It can also offer an opportunity for greater savings for those who rely on electricity for heating and cooking because they are not connected to a mains gas supply.

Nationally, collective energy switching is supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Local Government Association and consumer groups including Consumer Focus.

• Switch Hampshire - Register with Switch Hampshire to see if you could save money on your energy bills

Wednesday, 13 March 2013

This 'No Smoking Day', (Wednesday 13 March), Hampshire County Council Trading Standards officers are reporting that more shops in Hampshire have been found to be selling cigarettes to children.

In test purchases carried out by Trading Standards' underage volunteers since July 2012 five shops out of 19, in Basingstoke, Chandler's Ford, Havant, Totton and Winchester did not challenge the age of the young person who was attempting to buy cigarettes. This compares to ten underage sales as a result of test purchases on 138 shops across Hampshire in the previous three years.

The maximum fine for selling tobacco to under 18's is £2,500 and for persistent selling, shops and staff can be banned from sales for up to 12 months.

In response to these test purchases, Trading Standards have formally warned and advised three businesses, one other is no longer trading following the cancellation of their alcohol licence for other similar alleged offences, and one matter is still under investigation.

Underage sales of tobacco is a priority for Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards which support businesses in preventing such sales. Officers are therefore urging the public to get in touch if they are aware of underage sales across Hampshire. People can contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service by calling 08454 04 05 06 or by emailing underage.sales@hants.gov.uk

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "It is disappointing that underage sales of tobacco have increased. However, Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards team is working closely with NHS colleagues to tackle the problem of illegal underage sales, and also help prevent tobacco getting into young hands, through awareness raising in schools, and support to quit. Helping shops refuse sales to young people is one element of reducing supply, as well as delaying the age at which young people start smoking.

"Test purchasing takes place as part of a wider programme of work to reduce the rate of smoking among young people locally, led jointly by NHS Hampshire and Hampshire County Council. In many cases Trading Standards relies on intelligence received from residents as most of the illegal sales identified by the team are as a direct result of a parent or member of the public reporting concerns to them. We would urge anyone who may be aware of any such sales to therefore report them to our Trading Standards officers. "

Dr Ruth Milton, Director of Public Health for NHS Hampshire said: "Currently, in England around 12% of 15 year olds smoke regularly, and in some parts of Hampshire, this rate is even higher. The NHS therefore offers young smokers crucial help to quit, through the Quit4Life

Stop Smoking Service. The Service offers free confidential advice and support for smokers of all ages through drop-in sessions, one-to-one help and a dedicated telephone support service with free patches and gum or a one off prescription payment. By stopping smoking, you can not only save money, you will also feel fitter and healthier, and reduce your risk of heart attacks and cancer."

Businesses needing help can contact Hampshire County Council Trading Standards on 01962 833620 or for more information and advice can visit our Underage Sales page.

Anyone wishing to report a shop for selling age restricted goods can fill in a form on the Hampshire County Council Trading Standards website or email: underage.sales@hants.gov.uk

• Details of this year's No Smoking Day

Thursday, 28 February 2013

The Insulate Hampshire scheme has been named as one of the finalists in the Climate Week 2013 Awards, after being shortlisted in the category of 'Best Local Initiative'.

The Climate Week Awards consider the work of the United Kingdom's most innovative, effective, and ambitious organisations, communities and individuals to combat climate change. The Awards recognise the most inspirational projects and initiatives from all across Britain.

Councillor Ken Thornber, Chairman of the Hampshire Senate says "It is very good news that Insulate Hampshire has been shortlisted for a Climate Week Award as the scheme has delivered such positive outcomes for many Hampshire residents. All the partners involved have worked hard to combat fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions through the project. Hampshire residents have been able to save money on their fuel bills as well as reduce their household carbon emissions.

"Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Hampshire Senate, and thanks to the thousands of insulation measures installed during the scheme, households across the county have taken positive action to reduce their bills and at the same time improve their health and wellbeing."

The Insulate Hampshire scheme has been responsible for installing over 18,600 insulation measures in Hampshire homes. As a result, Hampshire residents have collectively saved over £91 million in fuel bill savings and over 9,000 tonnes of CO2 over the lifespan of their insulation measures.

Award winners will be announced on 4 March 2013. Climate Week is a national climate change campaign, aimed at engaging with all sectors to create a sustainable future. Climate Week 2013 runs from 4 March until 10 March.

• Further information about the Climate Week Awards

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Hampshire County Council Trading Standards (HCC TS) have been involved in the first part of the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) national sampling programme to investigate the extent of horsemeat in food products.

The FSA, which is responsible for food safety and food hygiene across the UK, has advised that at present there are no known risks to public safety or health, their investigations at this point are concerned with the serious mislabelling of products. Based on specific criteria laid down by the FSA, this has involved us taking food samples from eight premises at various levels in the food supply chain e.g. small butchers shops, retailers, caterers and large and small wholesalers. In addition five samples of locally produced ready meals are also being taken.

This has been coordinated nationally, alongside action by the industry, to avoid duplication and the samples have been submitted to Hampshire Scientific Service as our Public Analyst for onward transmission to be analysed by Worcester Scientific Service for horsemeat DNA. Worcester Scientific Service is one of only a few enforcement laboratories able to undertake the testing required by the FSA. The FSA is expected to announce the full results of its sampling survey in April.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Ken Thornber, said: "I am pleased that Hampshire County Council is part of the rapid response force conducting testing programmes all across the country as part of our ongoing work with food businesses in Hampshire to ensure that the labelling and composition of food complies with the law. We are doing all we can to ensure people are buying food that is as stated on the label. According to the FSA there is currently no known risk to public safety or health.

"Parents of Hampshire schoolchildren and the families of residents in Hampshire County Council care homes can be assured that beef in their meals is 100% beef. We take the food chain back to source by looking at where the food comes from, and we also carry out strict hygiene and cleanliness checks in school kitchens to ensure that the meals served to children remain of the highest standard.

"In addition, our Hampshire Scientific Service check at source, the suppliers of food provided by the County Council, and carry out stringent checks throughout the year, from supply to kitchen and all the stages in between, which also include verifying the authenticity of ingredients. Few other local authorities do this.

"We also enforce standards through our Trading Standards Service and we have a higher focus than many authorities in this area.

"As a result of this thorough approach, we have been hailed an example of good practice and will continue to monitor the food we buy and supply, to ensure that we continue to meet our responsibilities, and provide reassurance to the people of Hampshire."

Hampshire County Council works with food businesses in Hampshire to ensure that the law relating to food standards is complied with, including the labelling and composition of food products. It provides advice and guidance to local food businesses to help them comply with the law, with resources focussed on working with higher risk activities such as large manufacturing businesses or those that have a history of not complying with the law. The Council has powers to take samples of food products to ensure that the labelling accurately reflects the content of the product and that people are buying what it says on the label.

To that end, in addition to the FSA sampling programme, HCC TS are also targeting visits to about 10 companies. Some of these are local producers whose supplies of meat are likely to be sourced in Europe. Most of these are already in the process of getting product analysed and are only releasing new product on a "positive release system" i.e. releasing only after the product has been checked and proven clear of horsemeat and HCC TS have been advising them on this and are taking some further samples as necessary. The other companies are cold/chill stores that are not companies routinely visited and we are checking their supply chains. Depending on further information further samples may be taken and the number of visits may be increased.

• Hampshire Trading Standards

Friday, 15 February 2013

Members of the Hampshire Senate have heard how the Senate-backed'nsulate Hampshire' scheme has provided loft and cavity wall insulation to 13,900 Hampshire homes - and in the first year alone after installation, will help to save residents £2.3million from their energy bills, and 9,500 tonnes of CO2.

The scheme which was backed by all members of the Senate plus Eastleigh and Fareham Borough Councils with funding from ScottishPower, saw over 18,600 cavity walls and lofts being fitted with insulation, largely at no cost to the resident. Residents were also able to pick up free DIY 'top up' rolls of loft insulation at community events, to install themselves at home. Enough rolls of loft insulation were given away at these events to cover 31 football pitches.

The total amount that is expected to be saved thanks to the 'Insulate Hampshire'; measures is over £92million from Hampshire householders' fuel bills. Meanwhile over 381,000 tonnes of CO2 will be saved over the lifespan of the cavity wall and loft insulation for Hampshire residents.

The highest number of installations took place in East Hampshire (2,385), followed by Basingstoke and Deane (2,267), New Forest (2,179) and Test Valley (2,007).

Chairman of the Hampshire Senate, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "Insulate Hampshire has been hugely successful in helping people to insulate their homes and save money, which is particularly important as the cost of energy continues to rise, and households face ongoing financial pressures. The scheme has also been a positive boost to Hampshire's local economy - creating and maintaining 100 jobs.

"Tackling fuel poverty is a priority for the Hampshire Senate, and thanks to the thousands of insulation measures installed during the scheme, collectively, the Senate and its partners have helped to empower households across the county to take positive action to reduce their bills, and at the same time improve people's health and wellbeing."

Meanwhile, building on scheme's success, and through the Insulate Hampshire partnership, members of the Senate have heard how people on low incomes and other vulnerable householders will get even more help to keep warm and cut the cost of heating thanks to £383,544 funding awarded to Hampshire County Council by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

The funding will be used to provide a full package of loft clearance, insulation and storage solutions for up to 390 households. It is anticipated this could save up to £175 on energy bills per household, each year.

Around 20 households who have benefited recently from a free gas connection to their property via Southern Gas Networks' Assisted Connections scheme will also have gas central heating installed, thanks to the additional funding from the DECC. For these households it is estimated they could save up to £300 per year on their energy bills.

Qualifying criteria does apply for both of these funding applications and there is a requirement from DECC that the projects are completed by 31 March 2013.

Insulate Hampshire will be contacting those residents who qualify, from the original scheme.

Hampshire County Council's Hitting the Cold Spots scheme aims to give older people and vulnerable people immediate and practical advice on reducing energy bills, increasing available income and keeping warm. Help is available until the end of March from a trained advisor by calling a free number (0800 804 8601) and, depending on the situation, further help may also be on offer including` free home assessments and grants to assist with hot water and heating repairs using Buy With Confidence traders.

• Insulate Hampshire

Friday, 08 February 2013

In the wake of fresh concerns over horsemeat being found in some meat products sold in supermarkets across the country, parents of Hampshire schoolchildren and the families of residents in Hampshire County Council care homes are being reassured that beef in their meals is 100% beef.

Hampshire County Council provides around 8.5million meals each year to people in its care, some of whom are vulnerable. Hampshire's meals contain locally sourced ingredients such as Hampshire beef and pork, and meatballs and beef burgers on the lunchtime menu for schoolchildren are produced locally from Laverstoke Park Farm near Overton, which contain 100% beef.

With the price of a school meal once again frozen at £2 - for a fifth year in a row - free range eggs from the New Forest are also used, as well as apple juice from Selborne, and fish from well-managed, sustainable fisheries.

County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "As we are serving around 45,000 meals each day to Hampshire pupils we have to be very sure about food safety. We take the food chain back to source by looking at where the food comes from, and we also carry out strict hygiene and cleanliness checks in school kitchens to ensure that the meals served to children remain of the highest standard. What's more, our school meals service remains the only one in the country to hold the Hyperactive Children's Support Group Award for the removal of over 70 additives in food that may cause children a behavioural or medical issue, such as colourants, sulphites and trans fats.

"In addition, our Hampshire Scientific Service check at source, all the suppliers of food provided by the County Council, and carry out stringent checks throughout the year, from supply to kitchen and all the stages in between, which also include verifying the authenticity of ingredients. We are unique in that few other local authorities do this.

"We also enforce standards through our Trading Standards Service and we have a higher focus than many authorities in this area. The food that we supply tends to be provided by local suppliers. By working with them through Trading Standards and monitoring the food we purchase, we believe we are helping local companies meet their statutory obligations, helping them stay in business, and ensuring the wellbeing of Hampshire residents.

"As a result of this thorough approach, we have been hailed an example of good practice and will continue to monitor the food we buy and supply, to ensure that we continue to meet our responsibilities, and provide reassurance to the people of Hampshire."

• Further information about the Hampshire Scientific Service

Tuesday, 08 January 2013

Councils across Hampshire are joining forces in a bid to help residents across Hampshire benefit from greater savings on their gas and electricity bills.

The County Council is working with other local authorities across Hampshire to set up a 'collective energy switching service' which will enable gas and electricity consumers in the county to combine their purchasing power and get a better deal on their bills.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment at Hampshire County Council, said: "This is good news for households across the county since it will mean that people who register for the scheme will possibly be able to get their gas and/or electricity at much cheaper rates than if they were buying either service as an individual customer.

"For instance, there are approximately 760,000 households in Hampshire. If two per cent sign up to switch energy supplier through our collective energy switching service, this would give a combined purchasing power of just over 15,000 customers, enabling the negotiation of greater discounts on their behalf. Clearly, the more people who sign up, the more negotiating power we will have - so it is vital as many people as possible register for the scheme.

"Being able to access cheaper energy has the potential to bring significant benefits to those on low incomes, the elderly and families in fuel poverty which in turn should have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

"It will also give an opportunity for greater savings to be made by those who rely on electricity alone for heating and cooking because they cannot be connected to a mains gas supply.

"Typically customers could save in the region of £60 to £200 on their energy bills by participation in collective switching. Running an energy switching scheme three times a year could lead to potential savings of up to £25 million for Hampshire residents."

To get the scheme up and running, the County Council, on behalf of the other Hampshire local authorities, is proposing to contract an intermediary organisation to manage the collective switching process. A decision on this is to be taken on 22 January 2013 at the Executive Member for Environment and Transport Decision Day. If agreed, the organisation under contract would be responsible for registering consumers, negotiating with energy companies to secure the best deal for householders and arranging the switch for each individual customer. There would be no charges to the customer or any council tax payer for this service, since the organisation's payment would come from a referral fee paid to the organisation by the energy supplier.

More details about the scheme and how people can register will be announced at the beginning of April 2013, subject to the agreement (on 22 January) to contract an agency to undertake the energy switching work, and the tender process leading to the appointment of a contractor with the required expertise, skills and resources.

Nationally, collective energy switching is supported strongly by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Local Government Association and consumer groups including Consumer Focus.