Keep up to date with all the big stories from across Greater Manchester in the daily Mancunian Way newsletter. You can receive the newsletter direct to your inbox every weekday by signing up right here.It was sweltering last night so I hope you all managed to get some rest. Although the discomfort we experienced will be nothing compared to the woman whose heating remained permanently on full for months over the summer.
The woman - who has a progressive neurological condition which affects her speech and movement - was found collapsed in her flat due to overheating by her son on numerous occasions. Shockingly, the situation lasted for four months. She was left in a home that 'made her feel unwell and physically sick' according to the ombudsman.
Richard Blakeway, housing ombudsman, said the landlord ‘clearly learnt no lessons from previous attempts to fix the issue’. “Time and time again it wasted the resident’s time and caused her more distress, including her collapsing from the problem on several occasions,” he said. But, as Sophie Halle-Richards reports, her boss at the time reassured her she could come and go from work as she pleased as she gradually built herself back up.
Shirine - who is based in Manchester where Co-op’s head office is situated - says employees are now encouraged to talk openly about fertility issues and are able to take unlimited time off whilst seeking treatment. They can also take special bereavement leave. That’s according to medics Damon Wilkinson spoke to following the closure of Grove Medical Practice, in Timperley. Bosses say it will close at the end of September as they have been unable to replace a retiring doctor. Patients will be transferred to three other practices."We are now seeing the outcomes of a crisis that has been building up for the last 20 years," he said. "More surgeries will close unless urgent action is taken.
He added: "We are providing more appointments but within that there's less continuity. Clinicians yearn for continuity of care. It's probably the most important thing in general practice. But over the years there's been a drive to improve access, but if you want an appointment straight away you can't expect to see the same doctor - there's just not enough people in the system.
But it has a fixed lifespan of around 30 years, after which its integrity comes into question. The government has been slammed for 'not fixing the roof when the sun was shining' as they order buildings to close over safety risk fears.