OCT2012x.QXD_WN.QXD 25/09/2012 10:52 Page 1 Westcombe NEWS Est. 1973 Free to 3800 homes, and in libraries & some shops October 2012 Issue 8 A community newspaper commended by the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies Monthly newspaper of The Westcombe Society: fostering a sense of community The Paralympics: Elegance & flair in Greenwich By WN ‘Yes, we can!’ reporter n September's WN, we may have given It is often pointed out that all of us are the impression that the Olympics were disabled at least three times in our lives – Iall over, and that was that – all over as as babies, when we are totally dependent well as the shouting. on others; when we are ill; and in old age, If so we have to tender apologies to our when infirmities of various kinds come to readers, because as the TV ads indicated, afflict us all. the Olympics were just a warm-up for the Paralympics which ended on September Issues 9th. How far, then, do we still need to go? Just What an extraordinary display of to take the Paralympics as a case-study, courage, talent and determination by these there is general agreement that provision Paralympic athletes, clamouring for recog- for disabled spectators and athletes, on site, nition, not of their disability, but of their were generally extremely good, whether by ability. the installation of lifts, or buggies (which proliferated in some venues); and also by PHOTO: Inspiring special seating arrangements. Neville Grant There are so many moving – inspiring – However, Caroline Owens warned: stories of athletes who refused to allow the “Don't bother to ask about accessibility on Sophie Wells produced an international personal best on her way to her first silver word “can’t” into their lexicon: people the 2012 website as the responses, when medal in the Individual Championship test Grade IV (Dressage). Sophie later won a like Natasha Baker, who won two gold and if I received them, only contained mis- second silver – and helped Great Britain to win a gold medal in the team event. medals in Equestrian Individual Grade II information!” (including a route up One events, Sarah and Barney Storey who won Tree Hill for disabled people!) Protecting our Health Service gold medals in cycling events, Richard Outside the sports venues the picture Whitehead who won a gold in the Men’s was not as rosy, as one of the letters on he government’s plans to privatise and sector. This is an opportunity to get in 200 metre event. ... the list goes on and on. page 2 of this issue reminds us. Lawrence Tfragment our NHS are starting to take early, while CCGs are still being formed, Winners or losers, these athletes from Smith reported that the “overflow” dis- shape across England, and the pressure is to give doctors an alternative roadmap, all over the world elicited waves of admi- abled parking area at North Greenwich on the new Health Minister, Jeremy Hunt, including watertight wording to write into ration, and no one who attended a Station was closed (and remains closed as to deliver the radical changes that Andrew their constitutions – one based on sound Paralympic event, whether in the Olympic we go to print), and the disabled bays in Lansley has been foisting on the public. legal advice and the interests of everyday Park, Weymouth, Woolwich Barracks, the station car park are often full. Drop off Local doctors are now getting together patients, not private companies. Greenwich Park or Eton Dorney, could fail and pick up in the car park is prohibited, to form CCGs, or “Clinical The government and the private health to be moved, and inspired at what was which makes life difficult for everyone. Commissioning Groups”. industry prob- truly a triumph of the human spirit; an More generally, stories still circulate of These groups will have to http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/m/ ably will not inspiration to us all. tube stations with no lifts, of stations with make big decisions about 74c0553a/2d45f847/5d83d00d/ like this initia- Nor, at this time, when our journalists lethal gaps between the train and platform; how NHS money is spent 4672136b/910719689/VEsH/ tive at all, but have come under fire, should we forget the of trains that offer no easy access for locally, and what health there’s little outstanding coverage by our broadcast wheel-chair users, of bus stops inconve- services will be available to you and your they can do to stop people power. media, so easy to take for granted. It is niently closed . TfL to give some credit, family. Meanwhile, the Care Quality interesting to note that Channel 4 devoted did make provision for ramps at some tube CCGs will be under pressure from the Commission (CQC) is asking for views on over 150 hours of broadcasts to the stations: but as we go to press no guarantee government to implement plans which will its strategy for 2013-2016. Published on Paralympics, compared with four hours, has been offered that these will continue in inevitably cut services – and hand out con- 6th Sept., the national regulator for health put on by NBC in the United States.... use. Meanwhile, of the 279 tube stations in tracts to private companies. However, NHS and adult social care sets out proposals for The Paralympics are a great cause for London, only 67 provide disabled access. watchers point out that CCGs also have a what it thinks it should focus on and what celebration at so many different levels: of We still have some way to go: the WN legal obligation to pay attention to local the public and others can expect from it. course, as outstanding sporting events; but would love to invite those with their own patients – and many doctors on the CCGs CQC’s new Chief Executive David also as witness to the contribution that stories – positive and negative – about dis- were against the plans from the start. Behan said: ‘‘For CQC, being successful people with disabilities make to our abled provision, particularly on our public Those who care about protecting the means that more health and care services society, not least by their example. transport, to use our columns to draw NHS are being asked to sign up to a meet quality and safety standards – and The event also serves to remind us of attention to such issues. So, over to you! petition to our local CCG now. Go to the improve quickly if they don’t. how far we still have to go, in our enlight- Let the stories you have to tell act as an address in the box! The last thing most “I want people to know that together ened society, to make proper provision for important legacy of the wonderful games doctors want is to cut services and carve with Health-watch as the consumer people who are disabled. that we enjoyed this September. up our NHS for the profit of the private champion we will listen to them and use their experiences to help inform the < < < NEWS BRIEFS > > > judgements we make about services.” The consultation runs until 6 December. Quiz Night ATM thieves in Blackheath Village Attack in St Johns Park Full details of the proposals and how to The Westcombe Society’s popular Quiz Night There have been several incidents of theft at Two teenagers have been charged after a respond are on CQC’s web site at is on Saturday 20th October at 7.30 pm for an ATM machines often involving “distraction” married couple aged 27, were robbed in St. www.cqc.org.uk/thenextphase 8.00 pm start. Bookings and ‘Chippy' suppers, strategies. You have been warned! John's Park on August 3rd, as reported in the if required, must be ordered in advance. A table last issue of the WN. The husband was taken to will be for no more than six people per team; Only Seven Weeks to Christmas Bazaar! hospital and treated for a stab wound in the leg. The Westcombe individual and pair bookings are welcome and The very popular Westcombe Society's The youths – aged 16 and 17 – appeared at will be placed to make up teams as appropriate. Dickensian Christmas Bazaar is to be held on Bexley magistrates court accused of robbery Society Why not get your friends to make up a team the 17th November this year at Blackheath and were remanded in custody. A third youth – or come on your own and meet some new High School in Vanbrugh Park SE3. Over 50 was bailed to report to police in October. QUIZ NIGHT people! Ring Caroline on 8853 0948 stalls, free entertainment for the children, and Our next Quiz Night is on Saturday 20th October as soon as possible, as bookings will close on a visit from Father Christmas! If you have any Drug seizures at 7.30 pm for an 8.00 pm start in Mycenae 14th October – or earlier if fully booked. unwanted gifts, toiletries or bottles for the Cannabis with a street value of more than House. Society stalls, please ring Marilyn Little for £600,000 was seized across Greenwich on the Bookings and ‘Chippy’ suppers, if required, The Blackheath Society at 75 delivery or collection on 020 8853 1312. morning of September 20th, when officers must be ordered in advance. The Blackheath Society is holding a Supper in took part in "Operation Hawk" set up to tackle Please ring Caroline Blackheath Halls at 7.00 pm on Friday 30th Pubs change names drug-related crime. Fifteen people were on 8853 0948.