Derby Today

21/10/2020

Derby has declared its ambition to become the UK’s centre of excellence for future fuel technologies, using the city’s advanced manufacturing expertise to revolutionise the way low-carbon energy is used to power businesses, transport and homes.

The city is assembling a partnership of leading companies and academics to drive forward its plans. It believes Derby’s high-tech businesses are uniquely placed to develop the equipment and infrastructure that will allow communities to generate low-carbon power and to capture, store and utilise by-product or waste energy.

It wants to adopt the technologies in Derby and use the city as a living showcase of what can be achieved.

Those behind the plan say it will create new jobs, reduce energy costs for domestic and commercial customers, assist with UK energy security and support key pillars of Derby’s coronavirus economic recovery plan by diversifying the economy and decarbonising the city.

The proposals build on the city’s status as one of the UK’s leading centres for advanced manufacturing and recognise work already underway locally to harness the potential of nuclear and hydrogen power.

The initiative is being led by Derby City Council, but discussions have already begun with other key partners in industry and academia and a workshop will be held next month (November 2020) to bring other stakeholders to the table.

The authority has commissioned a study to look at the potential of hydrogen as part of the future fuel landscape in the region covered by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

It is also considering the purchase of a city site where an integrated energy approach can be launched and demonstrated, linking clean energy and by-product power sources to commercial and domestic users. It would also include a low-carbon public transport hub.

Full article:

Derby has declared its ambition to become the UK’s centre of excellence for future fuel technologies, using the city’s advanced manufacturing expertise to revolutionise the way low-carbon energy is…

21/10/2020

Eye-catching and unmissable the colourful murals on the walls of Sinfin’s subways were painted by local graffiti artists to capture the attention of young people and encourage them to follow the coronavirus guidelines.

The murals are a novel approach to promoting the City’s campaign, ‘Let’s do the right thing for Derby’, that aims to raise awareness across Derby on the vital actions we can all take to ensure that we remain safe and reduce the risk of catching or passing on the virus.

Today, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Chris Poulter, went to see one of the murals on Sinfin Lane, and thank the team behind their creation, Baby People, a music and arts organisation based in the city.

The two murals can be seen in the subways on Sinfin Lane and Cromarty Close.

Article:

Eye-catching and unmissable the colourful murals on the walls of Sinfin’s subways were painted by local graffiti artists to capture the attention of young people and encourage them to follow the co…

21/10/2020

A tier two lockdown for Derby is moving closer as infections in the city continue to rise.

Six days ago, Dr Robyn Dewis, Derby City Council’s public health chief, said she expected the city to be put into tier two within the next seven to 19 days.

In the week up to 17 October, there were 407 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the city, with a rate of new cases of 158 for every 100,000 people.

A spokesman for the city council said the "direction of travel has not changed" but no update has yet been provided.

Article and image: https://www.bbc.com/news/localnews/2651347-Derby/0

20/10/2020

A second walk-through coronavirus testing facility for the city has opened on the 17th of October for those with symptoms to book appointments at West End Community Centre, in Derby, as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities.

This comes after the opening of a local testing centre at Morleston Street Day Centre on Wednesday 14 October.

A second walk-through coronavirus testing facility for the city is to open today for those with symptoms to book appointments at West End Community Centre, in Derby, as part of the Government’s UK-…

20/10/2020

A Derby kebab shop has been ordered to remain closed after officers from Derby City Council’s Environmental Health team discovered an infestation of cockroaches.

Officers carried out a visit at Pear Tree Kebabs on the Pear Tree Road, Normanton on Wednesday 14th October. The food outlet, operated by Mr Jaza Morawati, is a food new business which had recently registered with the department. The Council was visiting to undertake a new food hygiene inspection of the premises.

When officers arrived, the shop was open and serving to members of the public. There were clear signs of an infestation and officers served a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice formally closing the business.

The inspection revealed the food outlet had ‘an uncontrolled cockroach infestation with both dead and live cockroaches found in food preparation and storage areas, as well as in the customer toilet.’

At this yesterday's hearing, the court heard that the equipment used to clean surfaces was dirty and the chemical cleaning fluid contained no antibacterial properties to kill any pathogens present. It was also discovered that workers were using hot soapy water with washing up liquid as a means of cleaning food preparation surfaces.

The owners had also neglected to take preventative action to block off entry points found in the storeroom.

A Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order was issued by Derby Magistrates yesterday, granting powers for the Council to keep the shop shut until it is satisfied that the safety of customers can be met. The business will have to apply in writing to reopen.

Mr Morawati was ordered to pay Council costs of £1,170, which included court fees of £205.

A Derby kebab shop has been ordered to remain closed after officers from Derby City Council’s Environmental Health team discovered an infestation of cockroaches. Officers carried out a visit at Pea…

16/10/2020

Derby residents will soon start to notice a new look to some of our Hackney carriage taxis. New hackney carriages operating in Derby will now be branded in our new colour scheme of black with a Derby ‘yellow flash’.

The new colour scheme will be a sign to residents that this vehicle meets strict emission standards and the owner is playing their part in helping reduce pollution levels as well as improving customer experience by using the latest and cleanest cars available to the trade.

Those driving the current yellow cabs have until January 2025 to meet the required minimum standard of Euro 6 Diesel or ZEC ULEV. By the same date all hackney carriages and private hire vehicles should be no more than 15 years old for diesel vehicles and 12 years for ZEC ULEV vehicles.

Full article and image: https://news.derby.gov.uk/new-look-for-derby-taxis/

15/10/2020

Derby could face tougher tier two coronavirus measures in the next seven to 10 days, according to the city's director of public health.

But Dr Robyn Dewis added that there was an "uncertainty" about the timing but appeared convinced that stricter lockdown would come to the city.
Under this "high" alert level, there is a ban on households mixing indoors, including in pubs and restaurants.

In Derbyshire, Erewash, Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire will move into tier two measures from 12.01am on Saturday, October 17.
The situation will be reviewed in four weeks.

This was announced by Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock in the House of Commons on Thursday.

Derby is currently tier one, which means following the rule of six both indoors and outdoors and pubs closing at 10pm.

Full article:

Cases of coronavirus are rising

15/10/2020

Derby is about to open a new coronavirus testing centre - but could get more, according to health officials.

Morleston Day Centre, near Osmaston Road, is aimed at residents without access to transport.

Dr Robyn Dewis, Derby City Council's public health director, told the council's adult health scrutiny committee work on the site was "well progressed".

She added: "We are working with Deloitte and the Department of Health and Social Care to enable some other local testing sites as well.

"This will mean that individuals who don't have access to a car can book into those sites and can walk for their test."

The rate of confirmed cases in Derby has tripled from 33 per 100,000 people in the week to 29 September, to 109 up to 10 October.

Dr Dewis said this increase was expected continue through winter.

Article and image: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/localnews/2651347-Derby/0

15/10/2020

Nearly 3,000 people face waiting a year for NHS hospital treatment or operations in Chesterfield, Burton and Derby.

The huge increase - from 45 in March - has been caused by operations being cancelled in lockdown, Derby City Council was told at a meeting.

Zara Jones, planning lead for Joined-Up Care Derbyshire, which oversees all NHS services in the county and city, said such waits were rare before the pandemic.

She said the main area affected was elective surgeries in orthopaedics - including hip and knee operations - but cancer treatments continue to be prioritised.

Figures show 2,509 people waiting 52 weeks for treatment at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust as of the week ending 2 October.

At the Chesterfield Royal Hospital the figure was 298 patients.
Ms Jones also highlighted an "unidentified need" of people believed "not to have presented for health care" - avoiding NHS services due to Covid-19 concerns.

Article and image: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/localnews/2651347-Derby/0

15/10/2020

A controversial waste treatment plant in Derby, which was given the go-ahead in 2012 but has not been operational, has cost taxpayers £8.2 million in the 2019-20 financial year.

Derbyshire County Council said the costs covered the removal of waste and deep-cleaning of the site, as well as work to assess its condition.

Construction at the facility, on Sinfin Lane, began two years later despite campaigners' concerns on air quality and an increase in lorry traffic.

The city and county councils said they took over the plant last August after there was a delay in opening in 2017.

Now, the authorities say they do not know when it will be fully operational, as they await the results from site surveys.

The plant aims to divert 190,000 tonnes of waste per year away from landfill by heat-treating waste to produce a gas which is then burned to create enough electricity to power 14,000 homes.

Article and image: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/localnews/2651347-Derby/0

10/10/2020

Some citizens of Derby will able to access a grant from Monday 12th October to help them through the period of self-isolation, if they are asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace.

The national scheme has been launched by the government to ensure that those who have to self-isolate do not struggle financially as a result, and to encourage people to stay at home during the period to prevent infecting others.

Those who are eligible will be given a £500 payment to self-isolate for up to 14 days.

Applicants must have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either if for testing positive for coronavirus or as a close contact of a positive case. Those who have not tested positive for Covid-19 will not qualify – even if they have symptoms.

Applicants must also be employed or self-employed and unable to work from home – losing income as a result, and be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.

If you meet the criteria, with the exception of being in receipt of one of the listed benefits, applications will be assessed for a £500 discretionary award if you indicate this on your application and are eligible for a grant under the scheme.

Applicants will be able to submit an online form via the DCC website through myAccount (URL below) from Monday 12th October. Only those who are unable to fill in the form themselves, and do not have support for doing so, can call 01332 640202.

Payments will be available to eligible applicants who started to self-isolate from 28th September onwards. Anyone who started to self-isolate from 28th September will be able to receive a backdated payment after the scheme takes effect.

MyAccount: https://myaccount.derby.gov.uk
Full article and image: https://news.derby.gov.uk/test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme-to-launch-in-derby/

Some citizens of Derby will able to access a grant from Monday 12th October to help them through the period of self-isolation, if they are asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace. The national scheme …

10/10/2020

A hospital has apologised to a woman who suffered a cut bowel during a botched hysterectomy by a consultant gynaecologist under investigation.

The woman had a hysterectomy performed by the consultant - named in media reports as Daniel Hay - at Royal Derby Hospital in June 2018.

The hospital told the woman her care "fell significantly below standard".

She was among 272 patients told by the hospital they may have been caused "unnecessary harm" by the surgeon.

In a letter to the woman, a mother-of-three in her 40s from Derby who has not been named, the hospital trust's review project lead Sandra Coates apologised.

She wrote: "It is clear from our review that your treatment and care fell significantly below the standard we aim to provide and this has led to you having ongoing health concerns."

Ms Coates added other options for treating the woman's symptoms should have been explored prior to surgery.

Medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, who have been investigating the woman's case, said she visited her GP in November 2017 complaining of abdominal bloating.

Following scans she was diagnosed with adenomyosis, which sees tissue that would normally line the womb start to grow within muscle.

She was referred to University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust and in February 2018 she was seen by the gynaecologist.

According to an independent review carried out for the trust, there was no evidence non-surgical options were discussed with the woman prior to the hysterectomy.

As well as the bowel damage - which the NHS said was a rare complication - the woman lost 2.5 litres (4.4 pints) of blood.

The legal firm said she continued to suffer from the physical and psychological effects of what had happened to her.

Full article:

The patient is one of 272 told they may have been caused "unnecessary harm" by a gynaecologist.