Study of stroke care backs new network
FOUR candidates have been announced to contest the Denby Dale Kirklees Council by-election on November 1.
Dewsbury County Conservative Association (DCCA) has announced Paula Kemp as its choice to replace fellow Tory Billy Jewitt, who stood down due to ill health.
A long-term Emley resident and Denby Dale parish councillor since 2015, Mrs Kemp will go up against Will Simpson (Labour), Alison Baskeyfield (Lib Dems) and Isabel Walters (Green Party).
She said her priorities if elected will be holding the council to account on its Local Plan, tackling fly-tipping, campaigning for safer roads and setting up initiatives to improve the village centres in the ward.
She also paid tribute to Clr Jewitt. “It is important that we do not forget why this election is being held and my best wishes and hope for a speedy recovery go out to Billy and his family.”
Labour candidate Will Simpson was announced in August. He was narrowly defeated last May by Clr Jewitt, losing by just 237 votes.
He said: “It is an honour to be selected and to again be given the opportunity to stand up for the area I’ve always been proud to call home. Should I be elected, I will work hard to make a difference for local residents and fight for the best deal we can get in difficult times.”
Currently Denby Dale is represented by Labour’s Clr Graham Turner and Tory Clr Michael Watson.
Mark Eastwood, chairman of DCCA, said: “Currently, Conservatives and Labour have one elected representative each within the Denby Dale ward, with Labour holding a narrow overall majority on Kirklees Council.
“Historically, Denby Dale has always been a close-run battle between Conservatives and Labour and it is expected that this will be no different from previous years.” which does not receive the minimum number of 600 new stroke patients per year.
Dr Graham Venables, former consultant neurologist and external stroke advisor, said: “There is documented evidence that outcomes are less good when stroke units handle less than roughly 600 patients a year.
“It’s like preparing to fly on a Boeing 747: the large team involved don’t get enough practice and aren’t good at it. And that’s a sad fact.”
Hyper acute stroke units will be based at Bradford Royal Infirmary, Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax, Leeds General Infirmary and Pinderfields Hospital.
Representing the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts, Stacey Hunter said health bosses were “really confident” that there were sufficient numbers of patients to sustain the four units.
“Broadly speaking Harrogate deals with 300 patients who have had a stroke a year. Mid Yorkshire Hospitals just tip over 900. Leeds Teaching Hospitals are currently at about 1,200. Bradford is just around 800 and ditto for Calderdale and Huddersfield it’s about 750-800 per year.
“Sadly stroke is something that is increasing and with an increasing ageing population we expect to see more of until such time that our prevention is better.”
Kirklees Conservative councillor Liz Smaje sought an assurance that stroke sufferers would be treated at their nearest A&E or where care would be given.
Jacqui Crossley, from Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, gave an assurance that patients would travel to “the next nearest unit” that could best manage their care.