Thursday, 25 April 2013

A targeted campaign to ensure that young people across Hampshire are protected against measles outbreaks is launched today (Thursday 25 April) in the wake of rising levels of confirmed cases of the preventable disease nationally.

Dr Ruth Milton, Hampshire's Director of Public Health said: "Our team is working with colleagues in health and care services to raise awareness of this important health hazard and the real benefit of protecting our young people by taking up the MMR vaccine. Current levels of vaccination in our five year olds is 91%, but this is still is short of the 95% coverage needed to protect the entire community by preventing the spread of the infection."

"The proportion of 10 to 16 year olds in Hampshire who are immune is far lower. This means that about 1 in 5 teenagers in Hampshire is at risk of this avoidable and serious infection. We know from recent outbreaks that this age group is most at risk and that complications are common with measles infection."

"A vaccination for a preventable disease can protect you at any time and the MMR is given as two doses. I would strongly urge parents to check with their GP to ensure that their children are fully protected against measles and if not, to book an appointment to get their MMR vaccine as soon as possible."

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, many 10 to 16-year-olds missed out on a vaccination due to publicity surrounding a discredited link between autism and the vaccine.

As well as the current serious outbreak in Swansea, there have also been smaller measles outbreaks across many parts of England including Teeside, Greater Manchester, Preston, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. While there has been only one case of measles in the last quarter in Wessex (made up of the NHS in Dorset, Hampshire, and Isle of Wight), which was in Hampshire, the natural history of measles infection is such that an increase is expected in the coming months.

Measles is an unpleasant illness that starts with a few days of cold-like symptoms and is then followed by a rash accompanied by high fever, red eyes and a cough. It can be particularly severe in babies under the age of one year, teenagers and older people, especially those who have a weakened immune system. In these groups, measles can cause complications including pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhoea and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).

Around one in every 10 children who get measles is admitted to hospital. In rare cases, people can die from measles. Measles in pregnant women can also be very serious and threaten the pregnancy.

• Information on Measles - NHS Choices

Friday, 15 March 2013

Support for a Hampshire-based charity dedicated to sea rescue missions has received a lifeline from Hampshire County Council.

At his Decision Day (14 March 2013), Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, awarded funding of £41,500 to the Solent Sea-Rescue Organisation.

The charity was established by the County Council in 1977, in partnership with local maritime authorities, to assist in sea rescues on the foreshore of the Solent and surrounding beaches.

It brings together eight independent lifeboat and rescue organisations, provides beach safety, as well as attending inland incidents. The organisation also gives regular sea and water safety talks to local community groups.

The funding will be used to cover the general running costs of the organisation.

Councillor Thornber, said: "The Solent is recognised as one of the busiest waterways in the world and there are a number of obvious dangers it poses. It is therefore disappointing that some local authorities have chosen to withdraw their funding to an organisation that does such exceptionally good work in keeping Hampshire's waters safe.

"Despite the ongoing financial pressures faced by all in the public sector, we recognise that the Solent Sea-Rescue Organisation provides a vital service to all users of the Solent and we have chosen to fund the financial shortfall they would otherwise have faced."

• Solent Sea Rescue Organisation

Thursday, 17 January 2013

With a forecast for possible heavy snow on Friday (18 January 2013), Hampshire County Council is ready to keep Hampshire moving and help residents in need - particularly older people and others who may be vulnerable.

The County Council's salt barns are full with enough salt for 15 days of continuous, round-the-clock salting. 3,000 community salt bins have salt for people to spread on public roads and pavements and around 100 farmers are on standby to assist with clearing roads of snow using snow ploughs if needed. As always during the winter season, salting lorries are ready to salt Priority 1 routes - roads that carry 85% of the county's traffic - when temperatures are set to fall to zero or below. Other routes, including community routes to local primary schools, doctors surgeries and local shops will also be treated.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: "The forecasts we receive indicate that it will snow in Hampshire from approximately 4am and that it is likely to be persistent, with five to ten centimetres settling across the county, although to a lesser extent in coastal areas. We will be salting the Priority 1 routes round the clock from late morning through to the start of the snow fall. In order to ensure teachers and pupils can get to school and people can still make essential appointments, such as with their doctor, we have already salted community routes this morning and will do so again in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

"I would ask people to do their bit to help, by using the salt in the community salt bins, to treat public roads and pavements near to where they live."

People are being warned that the ground is still saturated due to the significant amount of rain we have had during the winter season so far. Water run-off from fields and high ground has the potential to wash away the salt being spread by the salting lorries, so it is possible that rural roads could ice over when the temperatures drop. To minimise this, salt wicks (porous bags filled with salt) have been placed at known locations along the highway to maintain a salinity level in the flowing water to try and help prevent it from freezing on the road surface.

Councillor Kendal, added: "If you have to travel, please follow advice on driving safely and check your local radio for news about the situation regarding public transport and traffic on the roads. Tread carefully if you are walking as it is likely to be slippery underfoot and cyclists are also asked to take extra care. It is advisable to leave extra time for your journey, if it cannot be postponed, and to ensure you're prepared with warm clothing, a warm drink and snacks, a charged mobile phone - with your breakdown emergency number in your contacts - and plenty of fuel."

During severe weather events, the County Council's Emergency Planning Unit coordinates the Council's response, working closely around the clock with the emergency services, district councils and other partners such as the Environment Agency to coordinate multi-agency efforts and ensure communities are able to access the support they need to help themselves, whether it is setting up a rest centre or targeted support for the most vulnerable. This includes calling on over a hundred 4x4 volunteer drivers, who have been recruited by the Police and trained by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, to be ready to transport key staff and resources to wherever they are needed whether that means getting them to hospital, the workplace to keep vital services running, or helping to deliver meals on wheels.

The County Council is also asking people to keep a neighbourly eye on older and vulnerable residents living near to them. This is especially important in rural communities where not everyone has access to mains gas and communications can be affected. Any concerns about a neighbour can be reported by calling 0845 603 5630.

Cold weather not only makes life uncomfortable but can lead to serious health problems including asthma, depression, heart disease and strokes. People who are struggling to keep warm or to pay their bills can get immediate and practical help and advice by calling the 'Hitting the Colds Spots' freephone advice line (0800 804 8601).

If a head teacher has taken the decision to close their school for any reason, including bad weather, the information will be available online so parents, with school age children, can check if their school is open as usual, by looking at the school closures page on the County Council's website."

• Snow in Hampshire - severe weather information

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

With weather forecast predictions for up to 60mm of rainfall this evening and overnight (19 December) and warnings about successive, heavy rain and flooding, Hampshire County Council's highways emergency response teams have been mobilised to be on stand-by for dealing with excessive surface water on the roads, flooded roads and blocked highways drains.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment and Transport at Hampshire County Council, said: "According to colleagues in other agencies, Hampshire is in for extremely heavy rainfall in a relatively short space of time tonight. Our highways teams are ready with additional support from extra gully tankers, emergency response teams and tree crews on stand-by to help keep Hampshire moving, by dealing with flooding on our roads or setting up diversion routes where a road has to be closed unavoidably. We are expecting the rain to fall at its heaviest overnight so it is highly likely people's journeys will be affected in the morning.

"I would ask everyone to take particular care if they have to make a journey in these conditions. Sudden, very heavy downpours can lead to roads and pavements flooding quickly. Spare a thought too for cyclists and any pedestrians walking along the road side, so that they are not showered by puddle water thrown up from the road by moving vehicles."

"Furthermore, please heed any warning signs that are placed on the highway. Do not attempt to use fords and be extra careful driving through any road surface water as it may be difficult to judge its depth."

The County Council's Emergency Planning Team is also prepared and on standby, ready to deal with emergency situations that may arise as a consequence of the heavy rainfall.

The County Council is also asking people to report incidences of flooding on Hampshire's roads either online or by calling 0845 603 5633. People can keep updated on roads affected by severe weather by checking ROMANSE online or following them on Twitter @ROMANSE. Alternatively tune in to BBC Radio Solent and other local radio stations for traffic reports.

If anyone has concerns about any older or vulnerable people in their community during times of adverse weather, they should call: 0845 603 5630.

• Environment Agency - Flooding information