Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Health board committed to green policy
NHS Lanarkshire has committed to a greener future for its health services.
The health board has continued to build on its commitment to greener days ahead for people and planet, one year on from its first-ever sustainability conference.
During the last year, NHS Lanarkshire improved on, and developed, a number of initiatives to make a difference, including:
■ Continued identification and investment in energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects, which led to meeting the Scottish Government target of 56 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and put it on target to exceed the 2030 target of 75 per cent.
■ A sustainability and climate change strategy being finalised setting out its plans for net-zero by 2045 at the latest.
■ Improved active travel facilities, such as cycle shelters and bike repair stands installed across hospital sites.
■ Improvement in national sustainability assessment tool score from 40 per cent to 55 per cent.
■ And further engagement with frontline staff, working to improve sustainability in theatres, wards, and other frontline areas.
Marie Porteous, head of sustainability and environment, said:“lanarkshire is a great place to live and work.
“As one of the biggest employers in the area – and working alongside our partners – we can have a massive impact on our environment and our future.
“I’m exceptionally proud of our progress over the past year, despite the challenges of Covid-19, and we will continue to play our role in driving down our carbon footprint.
“We know it won’t be easy. Along the way we will need to challenge both how we work and how we think. That’s the only way we will be able to make the changes we need.
“I’m confident that by working together with our people, our partners and our communities, we can ensure Lanarkshire is a greener, healthier and happier place which will make a real difference for our NHS, our people and our planet.”
be send out soon
People in Monklands aged 16-to-64 with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers are now being invited to roll up their sleeves for their Covid-19 vaccinations.
Those eligible will be invited by letter as NHS Lanarkshire works through the Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) list of priority groups to vaccinate those most at risk of coronavirus.
People who normally receive the free flu vaccine and are also on the list of underlying conditions will be offered the vaccine first, alongside unpaid carers who receive carers’ benefits or who have been identified by GPS.
They will then work through the remaining list of those who have underlying health conditions but who do not receive the free flu vaccine.
Carers who do not receive carers benefits, and who have not been identified by GPS, will be asked to come forward to register for their vaccine soon through an online self-registration process or by calling the national vaccination helpline.
Dr Mark Russell, lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Lanarkshire, said:“the
priority group of underlying health conditions and unpaid carers is the largest group that will be vaccinated for coronavirus.
“We would ask people to therefore to be patient as we work through this list and maximise the number of vaccinations we can complete in line with the vaccine supply available.
“With the high uptake of the vaccine, lower supply of vaccines than had originally been anticipated and keeping vaccines back to fulfil second doses, it will take us several weeks to work through this group.
“We would also ask that if you are invited for the vaccine that you please get it.
“It provides the best protection against coronavirus.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman added:“the age range of people in this cohort can be as young as 16 and their underlying condition may not be obvious to the outside world.
“I would stress that the offer at this time is based on a clinical judgment so we would strongly encourage people of all ages to take up this offer should it come.”
The priority group of unpaid carers and underlying health conditions is the largest group that will be vaccinated
Dr Mark Russell
Two new roundabouts and a pedestrian crossing with signals are being proposed for the main road in Calderbank following an assessment prompted by local people’s safety concerns.
Studies were carried out along the main B802 road through the village in September, after residents highlighted vehicle speeds and the growing volume of traffic using the local route since the completion of the nearby M8 improvements.
Now roads officials are proposing roundabouts at the junctions with both Crowwood Road and Calder Street, as well as upgrades to the existing mini-roundabout at English Row.
The plans also include new traffic lights north of Park Road, close to Calderbank Primary, plus improved speed limit signage and road markings at the entrances to the village.
Views are currently being sought from residents and road users in an online public consultation which runs until Sunday.
Researchers measured the traffic using Main Street over a 12-hour period and found that the overall volume had reduced by nine per cent or 92 vehicles per hour since a previous study in March 2019 – but that heavy goods vehicles of over 3.5 tonnes had increased by three per cent in that time.
They now account for more than one in 10 of the vehicles on the village route, while the study also determined the number of “through trips”not starting or ending in the village and calculated that three-quarters of the 10,024 vehicles using Calderbank’s main road during the survey period did not have a stopping point in the area.
Analysis to find the speeds“at or below which 85 per cent of all vehicles are observed to travel” showed that most traffic moves along Main Street at between 32 and 38mph, with the highest speeds of 41mph being recorded at the village’s southern end, closest to the motorway.
The study concluded:“it needs to be recognised that there is currently no obvious and attractive alternative to the B802 [and] there are limited options to influence the numbers of vehicles passing within the village.
“From the review of the speed and flow data, the recommendation to introduce mini-roundabouts at two locations would provide a level of traffic calming and help to discourage through vehicle movements.
“The only location where speeds are significantly higher than the posted limit is at the Calderbank village entry sign where [it] changes from 40mph to 30mph – it is recommended that additional signage and road markings are introduced to reinforce the transition.”
Pedestrian surveys also showed that the alreadyplanned crossing near New Lane “will serve an existing demand”, but concluded:“the results also show that an additional crossing north of Park Road would be beneficial, considering the traffic flows and speeds within the village.”