Residents in Sutton Coldfield are being asked for their views about how their complaints are being handled by Birmingham City Council.
The council is in the process of revising their complaints process, however before we launch the new approach – we would like to hear your views.
It is keen to invite citizens who have previously complained to or have an interest in how the council handles complaints, to tell us what you think about the new process.
The process review includes; knowing how to complain, when to complain, how to be kept informed and how the Council can learn from complaints.
The council says: “We want all citizens to be able to say: ‘I felt confident to speak up and making my complaint was simple. I felt listened to and understood. I feel that my complaint was dealt with efficiently’.”
In addition it would like residents to tell it their experiences of complaining to the city council or to hear from citizens about what a good complaints process would look like for you.
If you would like to be part of the panel influencing this change, please email getinvolved@birmingham.gov.uk with a brief description on how you think you can help with revising the complaints process in addition to letting us know if you are from a minority ethnic group and if you class yourself as a disabled person. The deadline for your expression of interest is 5th February 2021.
The council is hoping to include as many people as possible in the meeting which will be held using Microsoft teams, a web based application. The meeting is scheduled to take place on 11th February 2021 from 2pm – 3pm.
Everyone who shows an interest is forwarded a meeting invitation.
Grim reality of Covid revealed by top news photographer
Tim Thursfield is the award-winning chief photographer at MNA Media, aka Express & Star/Shropshire Star. Here he tells CATHY DOBBS about what it’s been like covering the pandemic – from the desperate scenes at intensive care at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital to growing hopes for the vaccination programme at Lichfield Cathedral
ICU staff battling the pandemic at New Cross Hospital. Pictures: Tim Thursfield, courtesy of MNA Media
Tim is used to having to keep his hands steady – whether he’s taking a picture of a raging fire or snapping a convicted murderer. But nothing could stop his hands from shaking on a recent trip to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.
“It was nerve-wracking thinking about going onto the intensive care unit because, naturally, you worry about how safe you are going to be,” says Tim, who is group chief photographer for the MNA. You know you are going to an environment that is full of Covid-19 and no matter what you wear and what you do, you know there is a risk.
“As you walk through those double doors onto the ICU it suddenly hits you, the enormity of what we are dealing with. Staff are rushing around and shouting to each other as buzzers are going off – they are saving lives, and to be allowed to see that was an incredible privilege. Afterwards, when I got in the car to send my pictures back to the office, my hands were shaking – it was a shocking experience I will never forget.”
Since March last year Tim and the other photographers who work for the MNA have been documenting the pandemic, through all seasons and with each change in the public’s perception.
Inside the intensive care unit at the hospital
Ambulances lined up outside New Cross Hospital
Full PPE is vital inside the intensive care unit
Staff working all hours to care for patients at the unit
“When this hit us in March the newspaper did portrait shoots with the emergency services, as we knew then the pressure they were under,” says Tim, who has won photographer of the year at the Midlands Media Awards for the last two years.
“It was closely followed by getting pictures of families and school children painting rainbows to show their support of the NHS. People spoke about how they were passing the time in the nice weather and enjoying a break from the daily grind.
At the hospital there was an urgency that I’ve never seen before and the amount of staff there was unbelievable – everyone working their hardest to keep the patients alive
He added: “That first lockdown was filled with hope that we would soon see the end of this – if we knew it was going to last a year I don’t know if people would have been as buoyant.”
During the second lockdown, in the lead up to Christmas, Tim noticed that people saw the seriousness of the virus.
“There were more deaths, but at the same time a lot of people had their sights set on seeing their family at Christmas,” he says. “I often spoke to people who hoped that if everyone behaved themselves during that lockdown they would be able to celebrate at Christmas and New Year – but we all know that wasn’t the case.
“I think the current lockdown has been the hardest on everyone – January is often a tough month for people, but also the number of deaths is at its highest.
“The main bit of hope people are clinging on to is that we start to see results from the vaccinations.”
Photographers need to be out on the road every day, but Tim says the whole team has had to re-think how they take pictures.
“Taking photos with social distancing in place has been tough as you can’t group people together – and that doesn’t look great on photos,” he says.
“It has changed the way we approach photos, keeping it to just one person or a couple if they live together. Also, wearing PPE and taking a photo comes with its challenges – you have to hold your breath to stop the view finder from misting up.”
Tim, who has spent the last three decades taking photos for newspapers in the Midlands, says there are two photo shoots he will never forget – his recent visit to the ICU and seeing the vaccination programme at Lichfield Cathedral.
Divine hope in place of despair as the vaccination programme is rolled out at Lichfield Cathedral
The symbol says it all at Lichfield Cathedral
“At the hospital there was an urgency that I’ve never seen before and the amount of staff there was unbelievable – everyone working their hardest to keep the patients alive,” he says.
“There was no doubt those people were in hospital because they had Covid, they didn’t just have a cold or the flu, they were seriously ill.
“The ICU and Lichfield Cathedral were two extremes. In the hospital I saw anxiety and despair, and for the staff it was every hand to the pump. In the cathedral I saw hope and camaraderie between the staff and patients – a feeling of ‘let’s get this sorted’.
“I’ve photographed Lichfield Cathedral several times, but this time it was completely out of this world and was like I was walking into a different place. The pillars and stained glass windows gave away the fact that it was Lichfield Cathedral. However, just looking on ground level it feels like you are in a huge clinic with medical staff walking around. You have a feeling that you are in living history.”
The world is still battling with the virus and Tim says that he believes that Covid-19 is the story that generations will be talking about for years to come.
“I tell my daughter Freya ‘you have to remember this as you will tell your grandchildren about it one day and you will go into schools and tell other children about how you lived through this’,” he says.
“It has been a privilege to document the pandemic – I’d never wish to experience this, but it’s something that none of us will ever forget. This virus is the biggest event in our lifetime and I’m sure I’ll never cover something of this scale again.”
Work under way at the Children’s Emergency Department at Sutton Coldfield’s Good Hope Hospital
Plans are under way to create a new multi-million pound Children’s Emergency Department at Good Hope Hospital, writes Bill McCarthy.
The new department will provide eight treatment cubicles, a new reception space, as well as a quiet room and wellbeing room. It also means that more space can be dedicated to treating adult patients in the area vacated by the current department.
The single-storey building represents an exciting opportunity to design a care environment around the specific needs of children and young people.
The entrance to the department will remain in its existing location, with a new ambulance entrance and drop-off area. Paediatric patients will have their own waiting area and separate corridor spaces.
Computer images of the design and how the new centre will look
Paula Lane, Lead Nurse – Paediatric Emergency Department, said: “The team are really excited about the project and are helping to design the new spaces based on our experience of working on the front-line with children and young people.”
Sharon Holland, Operations Manager – Emergency Department, added: “From a Trust perspective, the new department represents a huge investment in Good Hope Hospital and is a unique chance for us to work with colleagues across our clinical divisions to get it right for children and young people.”
The project will help provide additional Emergency Department capacity and will open in spring. The team cares for approximately 19,000 children every year, with this number rising annually.
University Hospitals Birmingham Charity will also be contributing to the project, providing those ‘over and above’ elements which will help make the environment as comfortable as possible for children and young people.
Dr Sanjay Mistry, Emergency Department Consultant, concluded: “We are looking forward to being able to work in a superb environment which matches the great level of care we offer our young patients at Good Hope. I’ve worked as a doctor in ED for over 15 years and this new department is one of the most exciting developments I’ve been involved with. It will be of huge benefit to both staff and patients in the local community.”
We are looking for paediatric nurses to join our team at UHB. View the vacancies on NHS Jobs website via the link at the end of the page.
Our friendly team are passionate about staff engagement and compassionate care. Make a passion and a career come together.
Angela Birmingham, Matron Emergency Department at Good Hope Hospital, added: “We hope our new department will attract paediatric nurses interested in Emergency Care to join our team. We pride ourselves on providing a variety of professional development opportunities and clinical excellence.”
How you can help the hospital during this stressful time:
Please continue to use NHS 111 if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation. NHS 111 makes it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services.
You can call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk if:
you need medical help fast for you or your child but it’s not a 999 emergency
you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a doctor to call
you need health information or reassurance about what to do next
For less urgent health needs, contact your doctor or local pharmacist in the usual way.
For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.
Socially-distanced volunteers getting ready to hit the road this month for a record breaking success
St Giles Hospice celebrates success
St Giles Hospice is celebrating the success of this year’s TreeCycle campaign after it collected more trees and raised more funds than ever before, including from venues Sutton Coldfield.
The environmentally-friendly recycling collection picked up 4,428 Christmas trees this month in return for a small donation to St Giles, raising over £65,000 for the hospice.
Last year’s collection picked up 3,430 trees, raising £35,000. All funds raised by TreeCycle help to ensure that St Giles Hospice can continue to be there for local people and their families living with a terminal illness.
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the challenges raised by the new lockdown, St Giles was able to run the popular annual fundraiser for the sixth year running thanks to collection teams who followed the latest Government guidelines as they hit the streets.
Working in same-household bubbles, 76 volunteers took part in a socially-distanced operation which covered 3,176 miles between Wednesday 6th and Wednesday 13th January. They collected trees from Lichfield, Walsall, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Burton, Rugeley, Burntwood, Uttoxeter, Swadlincote, Stafford and surrounding areas.
Chloe Herbert, Head of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, said: “We are absolutely delighted by the success of this year’s TreeCycle campaign and we would like to say a huge thank you to all of our volunteers and supporters for their support.
We were bowled over by the commitment and enthusiasm of everyone who took part this year
“Our income was badly hit in 2020 and continues to be so because we were forced to close our shops and cancel many of our events, and as a result of the latest lockdown our shops have had to close once more. This means that TreeCycle is more important to us than ever as we need to raise £850,000 every month just to keep our services going.
“We were bowled over by the commitment and enthusiasm of everyone who took part this year and the money raised will make a massive difference to local people at a time when they need us the most.”
DHL provided St Giles with vital logistics support during the collections, and the trees will be recycled for agricultural uses at Greener Composting in Wall, Lichfield.
“We’d also like to thank Lichfield Tree Works, Darwin Electricals and HiB for supporting TreeCycle this year,” added Chloe. “Our TreeCycle volunteers and corporate sponsors have been amazing.
“Everyone enjoyed taking part and we hope they will spread the word about TreeCycle so that next year we will have more volunteers coming along to help us collect even more trees.”
For more information about St Giles Hospice and the expert care it provides, please visit
Diggers and bulldozers clearing the ground at the new fenced off Lidl site in Mere Green
Work on the new Lidl store at the former Lucas factory site in Mere Green appears to be making slow progress since work got under way back in November. The store is expected to be completed some time this year.
While the work is progressing, traffic has been affected by the comings and going of construction traffic and temporary traffic lights, while dozens of letters of objection had previously been received from residents raising concerns over traffic levels and pollution fears.
The site has now been fenced off after diggers and bulldozers converged on the former industrial site in Mere Green Road, Sutton Coldfield.
Work does appear to be going at something of a snail’s pace when other Lidl stores, notably the newest one in Lichfield appeared to get built in no time at all. When asked for a progress report on the work or a potential opening date, Lidl had little to offer other than the obvious. A statement said: “We can confirm that construction has started on site and we will be issuing a release with full details of the store for the local community in due course.”
The former contaminated site has been an eyesore for many years, following the factory demolition and the time needed to get rid of the contamination at the site
This two-acre site is now being developed despite original plans being sent back to the drawing board during the planning process, before finally being approved. One local councillor described the original Lidl design as looking like a brown and white shed.
Diggers and bulldozers working at the start of the construction of the new store in Mere Green Road
The site will include the store and a number of parking spaces, finally opening up a site that has been blocked off with blue boarding for more than 10 years.
The store will offer a budget alternative to the giant Sainsbury’s store opposite, but is sure to create extra traffic and congestion in the busy Mere Green area. However there will be new jobs and a likely boost to the local economy with increased footfall.
The development could be the final piece in the jigsaw in the renaissance of Mere Green. The area been blighted for years with rows of boarded up shops, but that finally gave way to the Mulberry Walk development. Anchored by the Marks & Spencer food hall, the new shops and a number of smart bars, restaurants, coffee shops and a gym, complement the existing shops on Lichfield Road.
Four Oaks ward councillor Maureen Cornish has broadly welcomed the new store. She previously said: “Lidl will provide versatile shopping giving the public more choice, it will increase the footfall and competition between similar stores provides shoppers.”
Sue Bailey, Assistant Head at Arthur Terry Learning Partnership
ST GILES HOSPICE HELPS SCHOOL STAFF TO SUPPORT STUDENTS
A Sutton Coldfield school has been leading the way in training teaching staff from 14 schools to help students cope with the terrible loss of bereavement, writes Bill McCarthy.
Teachers from across Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Tamworth have received vital training to help young people facing loss and living with bereavement. Phoenix, the children and young people’s bereavement service for St Giles Hospice, has been working with staff from schools from the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), which include Arthur Terry School, John Willmott School, Stockland Green School, Brookvale Primary School, Curdworth Primary School, Hill West Primary School, Mere Green Primary School and Slade Primary School in Birmingham. The session covered the impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on young people as well as issues around bereavement and facing loss. Sue Bailey, Assistant Head at Arthur Terry, said: “We are very much aware that many families within our community of schools have lost loved ones during these difficult times. “Our aim as a partnership is to offer as much support to these families as we can and the training we received from St Giles will further enable our staff to do this. “The training was of a very high quality and left us feeling better equipped to support families and also how to access the expert support available from St Giles.
Arthur Terry’s assistant head teacher Sue Bailey
We look forward to further partnership working and would recommend this training to others.” Phoenix lead Jodie Phillips said the right support in schools for young people who had experienced the death of someone close to them was essential, particularly in the current circumstances. “Schools can be a safe space for young people, providing normality and consistency at times of extreme pressure and change, which is often the case when someone dies,” she said. “Working with ATLP to help their staff to support young people facing the death of a loved one or living with that loss is an important part of creating a safety net for those young people. “Given the right support, most grieving children and young people will not need professional help, but what they do need is the care of adults they trust who are familiar to them such as a teacher.” The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership is a growing multi-academy trust of 14 schools and one teaching school in Birmingham, North Warwickshire and Staffordshire. Phoenix offers support for any child or young person under the age of 18 who is facing loss or who has been bereaved, in the St Giles Hospice catchment area.
Referrals can come from parents, teachers, healthcare professionals or young people. To find out more, please call 01543 434536.
Council leaders are calling on supermarkets and businesses in Sutton Coldfield that remain open during this national lockdown to step-up their Covid-19 safety measures to help combat the surge of infections
With cases continuing to rise across the region and the UK entering a new lockdown, people are now required to stay at home except for a handful of permitted reasons – one of which is to shop for basic necessities.
Supermarkets and some other retailers will remain open and council leaders believe the retailers have a major role to play in keeping people safe over the coming weeks and months.
They who wrote to Business Secretary Alok Sharma MP in November expressing concerns at the easing of safety measures in supermarkets, have now called for urgent action to protect staff and shoppers.
They have called for:
The re-introduction of one-way systems to help maintain social distancing in all retail settings.
Improved enforcement of safety measures with Covid marshals on-site throughout opening hours.
Strong Infection Prevention and Control and messaging in-store to maintain the 2m distance between customers.
Strong action to combat spread amongst staff whist on site (both in public areas and in break areas) including encouraging staff to test regularly through the asymptomatic LFD community testing offer,
Mandatory measures to ensure that symptomatic staff stay at home (with adequate financial support), get tested, self-isolate AND that their close contacts also do this.
Clear staff training and tight compliance in store (mask wearing; reduce numbers in store, customer flow (one way aisles as much as possible), sanitising touch points and shared baskets and trolleys).
Birmingham City Council leader Cllr Ian Ward said: “Supermarkets and their staff worked extremely hard during the first lockdown to introduce measures that kept shoppers and workers safe. Now we need a return to the measures and the vigilance we saw last year and that means hand washing and sanitising, enforcement on the rules around face coverings and better social distancing, including the reintroduction on one-way systems.
“These are very worrying times and we all have a role to play to keep people safe. Although people must once again stay at home as much as possible, many of us will still be visiting supermarkets, so it’s essential that stores are as safe as possible.”
Gauntlet thrown down on St Giles wing-walking challenge
Sutton Coldfield daredevils with a head for heights can now take on the ultimate aerial challenge by wing walking on a plane in aid of St Giles Hospice when the lockdown is finally over.
St Giles is joining forces with events company Life Changing Challenges to offer thrill seekers a brand new fundraising experience they’ll never forget in the skies above Gloucestershire.
Everyone who takes part will enjoy a wing walk at a private airfield in Cirencester, with full training and a safety briefing, flying overalls provided and support from the hospice fundraising team.
Elinor Eustace, Income Generation Director at St Giles Hospice said: “Our fundraisers have told us that they love these adrenaline-fuelled experiences and we’re absolutely thrilled to be able to offer people the chance to enjoy one of these amazing flights.
“We’re looking for over-18s who want to test their nerve by trying a different kind of charity challenge – taking their bravery to new heights as they raise the funds we need to support patients living with a terminal illness and their families.”
One St Giles supporter who would love to do a wing-walking flight is 58-year-old Peter Norman who jumped out of a plane for the hospice in 2018, raising more than £500 through his fundraising parachute jump.
HGV driver Peter, who lives in Rugeley, enjoyed the experience so much he did another skydive in 2019 and was due to jump again last year until his flight was cancelled during the COVID-19 lockdown.
He said: “I really enjoyed skydiving for St Giles – it was a big adrenaline rush, far better than any rollercoaster ride you can go on and the views are simply phenomenal. It’s just a massive buzz.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to go wing walking – I’d do it tomorrow. Maybe I’m nuts but I think it would be a great experience! It’s so satisfying to challenge yourself with such a unique event – especially when you’re doing it in aid of a great cause. That’s the icing on the cake, because you know that you’re pushing yourself and helping so many people at the same time.”
Peter signed up for his first jump in memory of his dad Watty (corr) Norman, who died at home with lung cancer in 2003 supported by St Giles Hospice at Home nurses.
Peter Norman during his first tandem parachute jump and wing-walkers enjoy the challenge
He added: “St Giles staff were amazing – the nurses came and stayed with us at the house and it allowed Dad to be at home with his family right to the end, which made such a difference to him and we’re all really grateful that he got that opportunity.
“I visit the hospice each year on the anniversary of Dad’s death to read his name in the memorial book. I always leave a donation and we play the hospice lottery throughout the year. My nephew’s wife Jemma Norman passed away at St Giles in 2017 and they looked after her so well – and you hear lots of stories like that in the area.
“So many people have friends or family who have been supported by St Giles, so it’s really important that we support them in return.”
Anyone interested in taking part in a wing-walking challenge can sign up for a flight on weekdays between March and October and selected Saturdays between April and September. The event is fully COVID-secure.
There is a registration fee of £50 and fundraisers must pledge to raise a minimum sponsorship of £800. All St Giles wing walkers will get a fundraising pack, an orange hospice T-shirt and full support from a dedicated member of the St Giles fundraising team.
Drivers facing severe financial consequences with stiff fines and ban from roads
Drivers in Sutton Coldfield, who may have taken a chance with having an extra one for the road over the festive season, have been warned of the severe financial consequences of a drink-drive conviction.
The UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has calculated that the personal financial cost of drink driving could be as high as £70,000 or more when taking into account fines, legal fees, higher car insurance premiums, alternative transport costs and potential loss of earnings following conviction.
IAM RoadSmart’s research team found that costs following a drink drive conviction now include: fines of £5,000, although since these are now unlimited this could be much more; legal fees of £11,000 which is the average following conviction after a not-guilty plea; increased insurance premiums of £13,500 over five years after a driving disqualification; £2,000 for taxi and public transport costs for alternative transport during a ban; and £38,500 loss of earnings for 15 months following a conviction, based on an average UK salary.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy & Research, said: “In the run up to Christmas this year, many people’s drinking habits will have changed as a result of the coronavirus. So, whether you’re raising a glass for the festive season at home or, where you’re able, in a restaurant or pub, it’s important to remember that an extra drink comes with a huge hidden cost if it pushes you over the limit.”
Roads Minister, Baroness Vere, said: “Drink driving kills, so during the festive season don’t be tempted to have a drink before getting behind the wheel – it’s irresponsible and incredibly dangerous. We are working tirelessly, through schemes like our award winning THINK! campaign, to tackle attitudes and behaviours that could lead to people drink driving, and we continue to invest in policing and enforcement on our roads.”
Neil continued: “Drink driving wrecks lives and is totally unacceptable in any circumstance. However, some people still think they are safe to drive when they’ve had just a couple of drinks or are using home measures, which can quickly push them over the limit.
“The £70,000 impact of being convicted of drink driving is very sobering. This should be more than enough, let alone the thought of causing any other suffering for yourself, your family or the other people you put at risk on the road, to stop those drivers who are tempted to have an extra drink and get behind the wheel.
“Our advice is therefore quite simply to always stick with ‘None for the Road'”.
Evie Deeley raised more than £1,200 with her Miles 4 St Giles effort in the first lockdown.
Give it up – or bring it on – to support St Giles
Sutton Coldfield resident are being urged to wave goodbye to bad habits and feel fitter for 2021 by giving it up – or bringing it on – to support St Giles Hospice in the New Year. The charity has launched two fundraising challenges to inspire anyone who wants an added incentive to stick to their New Year’s resolutions in the months ahead. People can Give it up for St Giles – sacrificing something they want to shake off with the added incentive of sponsorship – or they can test themselves with a new exercise challenge by joining Miles 4 St Giles to kick-start their healthier lifestyle. Youngster Evie Deeley, aged nine, from Armitage, led the way in the first lockdown when her activities raised more than £1,200 for the hospice. Chloe Herbert, Head of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, said: “Everyone thinks about changing their lives for the better as New Year comes along, and our two challenges could be just the incentive you need to make a vow and stick to it! Whether you wave goodbye to gaming, or cut out your coffee and cake, you can give it up for St Giles in 2021 and help to raise much-needed funds for local people living with a terminal illness. “Or if you want to take up a new exercise challenge you can give yourself a great target to aim for with Miles 4 St Giles by pledging to run, walk or cycle 30, 60, 90 or 120 miles or your own set distance over 30 days.”
Whatever you say farewell to after Christmas is over, be sure to get support from your friends, family or colleagues – your sacrifice deserves sponsoring
Miles 4 St Giles was first launched last summer to encourage people to keep fit safely during the Coronavirus lockdown while raising money to help fund vital care services at St Giles in a year when the hospice’s shops were forced to close and fundraising events had to be cancelled. The new Give it up for St Giles campaign offers another opportunity for people to help St Giles while taking steps to strengthen their physical and mental health at a time of year when many can struggle to motivate themselves. “Whatever you say farewell to after Christma, be sure to get support from your friends, family or colleagues – your sacrifice deserves sponsoring,” Chloe added. “And every penny and pound you raise, will make a huge difference to St Giles Hospice and the services we provide to local people and their families when we need it most. “So if you’re already thinking: ‘New Year, new me’ then why not join #TeamStGiles for the commitment and motivation to achieve your goal this January.” Just £28 could pay for an hour of one-to-one nursing care for a patient at St Giles, and £40 could fund one hour of running the hospice’s Advice and Referrals line where dedicated clinical staff are at the end of the phone to help patients and their families 24 hours a day. A donation of £202 could pay for home visits to a patient by St Giles community nurses and £676 could pay for 24 hours of hospice care for a patient at the end of their life. For further information about Give It Up for St Giles visit http://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Giveitup4StGiles and to join Miles4StGiles, visit http://www.stgileshospice.com/how-you-can-help-us/fundraise-with-us/miles-4-st-giles/
Sutton Coldfield Life 