Work for the NHS
A CHAMPAGNE trip from Huddersfield aboard a local businessman’s own luxurious train has been cancelled because of the Covid-19 virus.
The Northern Belle should have taken 300 passengers for a slap-up day out to Edinburgh on Friday, April 17.
But David Pitts, from Thurstonland, has taken the heartbreaking decision to shunt the train into the sidings until May.
Mr Pitts, who runs DP Publicity in Wakefield, said: “We made the decision with great regret and we know many people will be disappointed.
“I love bringing the train back to Huddersfield but the welfare of passengers and staff must come first.
“The effect of this devastating virus changes day by day so we will monitor the situation and make another statement on
April 17 about services during May and the rest of the summer.”
Passengers booked on the train during April will be offered a full refund, or they can choose a gift card redeemable against any other Northern Belle train during the next 12 months.
The train is scheduled to return to Huddersfield for another trip to Edinburgh on Friday, June 5.
For further details see northernbelle. co.uk
TALENTED teenagers and people looking to change careers are being encouraged to start a career in the NHS.
A new national campaign launched by Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock is offering students a £5,000 annual maintenance grant to help with living costs.
Yorkshire is being targeted as its health employers recruited only a small fraction of the new workforce over the five years from 2012 to 2017 - including just 6.5% of the country’s newly qualified paramedics and only 8.4% of the country’s occupational therapists.
No prosthetists at all graduated in Yorkshire in the period 2012/13 until 2016/17.
In a bid to boost the numbers, health chiefs are offering the incentive to all people training to be the following roles:
All nursing roles, occupational therapists, paramedics, podiatrists, diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers, orthoptists, physiotherapists, prosthetists and orthotists.
As well as the £5,000 grant, extra payments worth up to £3,000 a year will also be available. These will be for people studying in regions or specialisms that are struggling to recruit, and for people with childcare responsibilities. This new funding package will benefit around 100,000 students every year.
For more information on careers visit the new website gov.uk/ nhscareers