School is the best place for children
Children’s learning, well-being, sense of routine and social interaction is best served by them all returning to school.
Getting pupils back into classrooms has always been a priority for the UK Government and, alongside existing protective measures, the robust, regular, rapid testing programme helps to protect the school community and families.
Protective measures include:
■ Safe travel to school and make space at the school gates.
■ Increased hygiene such as frequent hand washing, ventilation and staggered breaks and lunch times.
■ Secondary pupils are advised to wear masks in the classroom as well as in corridors.
■ Regular rapid testing is also being made available to staff and parents of school and college students as well as adults in their household, childcare and support bubbles.
As part of the UK Government’s first step out of lockdown, schools are welcoming back all pupils. We look at the benefits to children in returning to school and the protective measures that have been put in place for
students, their families and teachers.
Ibelieve I was a victim of medical negligence last year. It has been playing on my mind for a while now although I haven’t made a complaint or got any legal advice yet.
I have read somewhere online that because of the coronavirus situation it is not possible to bring a medical negligence claim at the moment anyway. If this is true when will I be able to do something about it?
Firstly it is very important to understand that there are strict deadlines in starting a clinical negligence claim or making a complaint:
1. Starting a claim. In most cases you have three years to start court proceedings from the date of the treatment complained about, or the time when you realised(oroughttohaverealised)that you had a significant injury that could be due to your treatment. This time limit does not apply to children who have until their 21st birthday to issue legal proceedings.
2. Making a complaint. There are complaint procedures for NHS treatment and private care. Thereareusuallystricttimelimits to make a complaint. For exampleacomplainttotheNHSshould usuallybemadewithin12months from the date of the treatment or knowledge that something may have gone wrong. You do not have tomakeacomplaintbeforebringingaclaimbutitmaybeusefulasit can provide an explanation about what happened and an apology. It canalsobehelpfulwhenconsidering a compensation claim. If you choose to make a complaint you shouldnotwaitforittobefinished before seeking legal advice. The three year time limit mentioned above does not change even if an investigation into a complaint is being carried out.
Coronavirus impact. The second vital point here is that the coronavirus pandemic has not changed any of the above.
Duetothepandemictherehas been a huge impact on appointments,treatmentsandoperations in hospitals.
Delays can reduce the treatmentoptionsavailable,impacton someone’s ability to live a normal orpainfreelifeormayevenreduce their life expectancy. Current delays may not be down to negligence but until circumstances are looked at you cannot be sure.
There are still options available to you if you think you have been the victim of medical negligence. If this applies to you it is crucialthatyoumakeacomplaint and/orseeklegaladviceassoonas possible given the time limits explained above.
A special flag was raised over Sunderland Civic Centre to mark Commonwealth Day. Commonwealth Day is celebrated in 54 member countries, and this year’s theme is 'Delivering a CommonFuture:Connecting, Innovating, Transforming'.
Guests did not attend the Civic Centre for the ceremony this year due to the ongoing social distancing measures. The Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr David Snowdon, raised the Commonwealth Flag and recorded a personal message to be shared online.
He has also recorded a video reading out the Commonwealth Affirmation, with the Mayoress, Cllr Dianne Snowdon reciting the response.
In addition, the LordLieutenant for Tyne and Wear Mrs Susan Winfield shared a special Commonwealth Day message
– which can be viewed on the council’s social media sites. The flag wads one of more than 900 flags being raised across the Commonwealth. Cllr David Snowdon, said: "We can all be proud that Sunderland is part of the collective expression of commitment to the
Commonwealth going on in countries all across the world.
"The Commonwealth is a family built around shared values and history and the theme for this year is all about striving for connection, transformation and innovation, and a renewed vision for a world that delivers a common future and serves a common good. "Raising the Commonwealth flag at the civic centre was a shared act in all member countries, re-affirming our belief in the Commonwealth as a powerful influence for good in the world.”