Other UK News In Brief

Jobs Loss Threat To Patient Care, Says BMA NI

Doctors leaders today expressed concern over the threat of job losses in the health sector as a consequence of the draft budget. 

Danny Lambe, British Medical Association (BMA) Northern Ireland Secretary said:

 “While we welcome the protection of the health budget in Northern Ireland, we are concerned at the lack of detail currently available in order to assess the direct threat to the health service.

 In particular, we are worried at reports that some 4,000 jobs will be lost across health and social care, including doctors. This can only have a negative impact on patient care.

 BMA would urge health service chiefs to work closely with us to try and come up with innovative ideas to mitigate the effect of funding cuts particularly to social care but also across the health service.

 Doctors see first hand what patients actually need yet are often frustrated in their attempts to improve services”

.

Statement Released Over Police Stabbing

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Rowell, from the Borough Commander of Ealing, has issued a statement regarding the two officers stabbed last Wednesday in Ealing. He said: "As you will be aware PC Paul Madden and PCSO Piotr Dolata from our borough sustained serious knife injuries whilst on duty. The Homicide and Serious Crime Command are currently conducting their enquiries into this incident and a man has been charged. I would like to reinforce the message that whilst this incident is indeed shocking, it is very rare. This has obviously happened at a time when the Broadway is a very busy place with shoppers and people celebrating the festive season and we will be conducting extra patrols in the area and on the buses to provide reassurance for the local community. I would like to commend the two injured officers for their bravery and actions at the scene, as well as the other officers that were in attendance and members of public who went to help them. Both officers are highly regarded and it truly does show the close relationship the officers have on the borough, as well as the public support of the work that we do."

Sawmill Fined After Worker's Leg Injured

An East Lothian sawmilling company has been fined after an employee's leg was seriously injured when he was cutting wood.
 In April 2008, Grzegorz Krzaczek, originally from Poland, was working with two colleagues at Windymains Timber Ltd to process wooden logs into planks, using a machine called a drop sorter. At the time of the incident, it was common for the drop sorter to jam two or three times a day.

When two planks became stuck in the machine, Mr Krzaczek climbed onto its conveyor belt, kicked the wood that was causing the jam, and unblocked it. However, because the power had not been turned off, as soon as he dislodged the wood, it re-started immediately at full speed. Mr Krzaczek's leg was dragged into the machine, where it became trapped. Mr Krzaczek remained trapped in the machine for approximately one and half hours and had to be freed by firefighters. His left leg was broken in three places and he suffered significant nerve damage. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Windymains Timber Ltd had failed to assess the risks involved when employees operated the drop sorter and to have a safe procedure in place for clearing blockages. The investigation also showed that dangerous parts of the machine could be accessed by workers, because there was inadequate guarding in place. Windymains Timber Ltd of East Lothian pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work at Haddington Sheriff Court. The company was fined £20,000.

(BMcN/GK)