Tag: Covid 19

News, Politics

Travel industry workers’ plea for help to rescue industry and save jobs

The trade union, UNITE, staged a day of action yesterday at Manchester Airport in support of the hard-hit travel industry.

The union is calling for tailored support for the industry brought to its knees by the Covid 19 pandemic and is demanding greater transparency in the government’s traffic lights travel restriction scheme.

Unite also wants the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to be extended for the aviation sector beyond the current cut-off date of September, while government restrictions are preventing travel, to protect jobs, routes and airports and to ensure that the UK still has a viable industry when travel can safely return to normality.

Unite members and their supporters also took part, with other unions and the TUC, in a lobby of parliament organised by trade association Airlines UK, and the travel industry.

The protest was backed by Wythenshawe MP Mike Kane, Labour’s spokesperson for aviation. He said: “1.6 million jobs depend on the UK’s aviation sector which contributes ÂŁ22 billion to the UK economy. This is why I am supporting #traveldayofaction.”

Unite assistant general secretary Diana Holland said: “It is totally unprecedented for all areas of the aviation sector and the travel industry to come together with a joint call of action for the government.

“Hopes of a gradual recovery in the aviation sector have been placed in the deep freeze as a direct result of government policies. Therefore the government has a moral duty to act and act swiftly.

“Aviation is essential to the long-term success of the UK’s economy, and to keeping people connected. If a meaningful, sustainable and resilient industry is going to be in place when travel can return, then the government must provide immediate support for the workers who will make this happen.”

News

Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre begins roll-out of Covid vaccine
Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre begins Covid vaccine roll-out

Manchester begins the roll-out of the new Covid 19 vaccine today at the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe.

Patients who are registered with a GP practice in Wythenshawe, that are aged 80 or above and are able to travel have been invited to receive the vaccine at the centre in Wythenshawe. 

Wythenshawe was identified as the best initial location to roll out community-based vaccination in Manchester, with other sites to be announced in the coming weeks. 

A second dose of the vaccination will be given to patients 3-4 weeks after receiving their first injection. 

Health bosses have assured those invited to have the vaccine that it is safe. The city’s director of public health, Dave Regan countered claims that it can rewrite DNA. This claim has also been rejected by independent fact checkers, Full Fact.

Dave Regan Director of Public Health for Manchester

Patients will be notified they are eligible to get a vaccine by their GP, either by phone or letter. 

Arrangements will be made to get the vaccine to people in this age group who may have difficulty travelling or who are housebound. 

David Regan said: “From day one our priority has been to protect as many people as possible from Covid-19. The successful development of an effective and safe vaccine will allow us to save thousands of lives over the coming months.  

“This is, however, just the first step and we will not see results overnight. Until the vaccine is being widely distributed our first line of defence will still be quick and accurate testing, as well as adhering to social distancing, good hygiene and the wearing of masks.”  

Dr Manisha Kumar, Medical Director Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, said: â€œThe launch of our first vaccination site, marks the start of the largest vaccination programme we have ever undertaken in Manchester. Our primary care staff across the city are working together to set up more sites in our communities so we can vaccinate people safely.

“I am so proud my GP colleagues, across the city, who have worked tirelessly to set these sites up – so we can protect our patients against the virus. But we can’t do this without the support of the people of Manchester; and so, I would urge all our patients to book in straight away when they are called up for the vaccine.

“We know that many of our patients are keen to get their vaccinations as soon as possible, but please don’t call your practice to book in unless you have been invited to do so, your practice will contact you as soon as you are eligible to be vaccinated.” 

Cllr Bev Craig, Manchester City Council’s spokesperson for Adult Health and Wellbeing

Councillor Bev Craig, Executive Member for Adult Health and Wellbeing for Manchester City Council said: â€œThe coming weeks will be crucial for Manchester as we work to get this vaccine to the people who need it most. This is the first bit of light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel.    

“The work we will begin next week is a positive start but we do face a long road ahead. Our priority will be protecting our older residents, medically vulnerable people and our NHS and care workers who have been putting themselves at risk this entire year.  “Our roll out depends on the vaccine supply from government, so as the vaccine is rolled out we will still need to be vigilant and take the precautions which have become commonplace since March. Mancunians have shown just how resilient they can be and I have no doubt this resolve will continue.” 

Community News, News

Wythenshawe town centre shops re-open their doors

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Wythenshawe Town Centre is beginning the re-opening of all its shops from today following the government’s relaxation of lockdown measures

Whilst essential services such as food stores pharmacies and banks have  remained open throughout the lockdown period the Town Centre management team are now beginning the gradual reopening of all retailers.

The shops now open are: Farmfoods, Courtesy Shoes, Cringle Corporation, Look Right, Vodafone, Manchester University Hospital NHS Opticians,Halcyon Exchange, Holland & Barrett, The Works, Iceland, All Computers, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, T J Morris, Gary Walker, Kal Clothing, Ral Ltd, Jennings Opticians, Wilsher’s Butchers, Shahdid Farooq, Sayers the Bakers, Poundstretcher, Heron Foods, Boots UK, Subway, McLagan Investments, Funeral Services, B&M, Homezone, McDonalds, D P Realty, KFC, FSR Solicitors, Harvey & Thompson, Abakus 2, Mr Baker’s, Bank of Scotland, TSB Bank, Duncan Worsley, Superdrug, David Mountford, JD Sports, Wilkinson Hardware Stores, MMC Office Wellington Properties, Amanda Burns, Skills and Works Solutions, and Match Me Holdings.

Information on opening hours can be found on the Wythenshawe Town Centre website.

Additional cleaning regimes, free-to-use hand sanitiser, signage, and social distancing measures are being implemented across the centre.

Shops will have their own queue management systems, which may include limits placed on the number of customers allowed in store at any one time.

The town centre will continue to provide free parking for all NHS staff within the multi-storey car park, which can be accessed via the spiral entrance ramp leading from Rowlandsway.

Daniel Davis, Town Centre Manager, commented: “Throughout the lockdown period, and particularly as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, our number one priority has been, and continues to be, the safety and wellbeing of our entire town centre community.

“Although we have experienced some challenging times recently, we can wholeheartedly say that the positivity and community spirit seen throughout our town centre over the previous months has been overwhelming. We are thankful to all those who have worked tirelessly throughout to ensure our town centre has remained open and accessible. It is this positive approach which will set our town centre apart as we now begin to return to some form of normality.

“We are excited to be supporting our retailers and their customers as they gradually begin to reopen in the coming weeks and we are confident that, by working together collaboratively, we can ensure Wythenshawe town centre remains in the heart of our community.”

 

Community News, News, Politics

Northenden choir joins stars for Manchester sing-a-long ahead of final Clap for Carers

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Rowetta (pic Man Alive)

A host of Greater Manchester faces from the world of entertainment have added their support to Together In One Voice, a mass doorstep singalong  tonight (Thursday 28 May), ahead of what is likely set to be the final Clap for Carers.

Rowetta and Shaun Ryder from the Happy Mondays, DJ and musician Clint Boon, will join Coronation Street stars Jennie McAlpine, Simon Gregson and Julia Goulding,  along with  Mani from the Stone Roses, bands including Blossoms and The Lottery Winners and artists including Jenna G, Slay, Evabee and Oneda, as well as Manchester City footballer Phil Foden.

Northenden Community Choir, will be among 20 different community choirs and 30 musicians from across the city region who have spent the last few weeks recording themselves playing their instruments and singing their parts in isolation in their own homes. Each of these individual vocal and musical parts has then been sent in to Musical Director Dan McDwyer and his team of sound engineers, for mixing into the live versions of the songs that everyone will sing along to during the event.

 

Amongst the choirs taking part are: The Northern Session Choir, Bee Vocal – The Manchester Mental Health Choir, Manchester Contemporary Youth Choir, Chorus of Others, Manchester Inspirational Voices, Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus, Sunday Boys, Manchester High School for Girls Choir,  Urban Stage School of Performing Arts, Levenshulme High School, Stagecoach Performing Arts School, and Leigh community choir.

 

The stars will appear on screen to deliver a series of messages of support ahead of the event on Thursday from 7.15pm, as Greater Manchester residents prepare to sing along from their doorsteps and windows, in a celebration of the importance of community and mental well-being during these unprecedented times.

Clint Boon said: “Manchester, music, and people mean the world to me, and it’s at times like these we’re going through at the moment that make you realise how much we all really need to reach out to each other to help us get through. Music is one of the best tonics I know for helping do this, and I’m really proud to be part of tonight’s event.  I’m going to be standing on my doorstep later with all my family, belting the tunes out, and I hope everyone else does too.”

In supporting the project they are joining Liam Gallagher, Mark Owen of Take That, James’ Tim Booth, Emeli Sande, Mike Pickering from M People, Tom Walker, Denise Johnson, Liam Fray from The Courteeners and Aitch, who will all be appearing on screen on the night. They will be introducing the live renditions of their music by the public, accompanied by a specially-arranged soundtrack featuring performances by virtual choirs and musicians from across the city region.

 

The soundtrack – which includes Take That’s Shine, Martha and the Vandellas’ Dancing In The Streets, Emeli Sande’s You Are Not Alone, James’ Sit Down, Oasis’ Wonderwall, M People’s Search for The Hero and Tom Walker’s Leave a Light On – will be streamed on the night for people to join in with from their doorsteps via MIF LIVE, Manchester International Festival’s on-line channel, and will also be broadcast live on BBC Radio Manchester.

 

Emeli Sande said: “I believe that singing and being part of a choir can be such a positive experience. Music transcends all barriers. I’m so happy to be part of bringing people together to connect and feel stronger.”

 

The event is being delivered by social entrepreneur Rose Marley and Manchester International Festival, alongside Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and is supported by Co-op.

 

Rose Marley said:  “Greater Manchester’s artistic community has come out in force to support tonight’s event, and from choirs and musicians, to bands and artists – we truly are all coming Together in One Voice.”

 

The doorstep singalong is being captured on the night with drones, street cameras and footage from residents, for an extended broadcast featuring interviews with artists and participants which will be broadcast on Sunday 31 May, 6pm exclusively on MIF Live.

 

David Greenhalgh, GMCA Lead for Culture, said: “The power of song is universal and singing brings well-known benefits including boosting self-esteem and one’s sense of well-being. That is needed at this time more than ever. I would like to thank all the artists involved for throwing their support behind what will be a wonderful event, allowing us to get together in a safe and socially distanced way to prove once again that Greater Manchester really is the cultural heartland of our country. I encourage as many people in our city-region as possible to take part tonight and have fun.”

Community News, News

Covid 19: Wythenshawe Hospital temporarily stops child emergency admissions

wythenshawe-768x432Wythenshawe Hospital is not accepting paediatric emergencies and is temporarily relocating all services for paediatric emergencies to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

In a statement, the hospital said: “As part of our response to the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, please note that from Tuesday 7th April 2020, we are temporarily relocating all services for paediatric emergencies to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, so Wythenshawe Hospital’s Emergency Department will not accept paediatric emergencies.

“All ambulances will now divert to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Paediatric Emergency Department. This is to support the increased need for critical care at Wythenshawe Hospital during this time.”

In the event of an emergency, parents, guardians and carers must now take children to the Paediatric Emergency Department, Oxford Road, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL.  The hospital has said it is extremely important that children are not taken to the Wythenshawe Hospital Emergency Department.