WOMEN are being urged to take-up the offer of cervical smear tests. The plea has been issued amid concerns that some people are anxious about attending their GP practice during the pandemic. As part of the NHS cervical screening programme, women aged 25-49 are invited for a smear test every three years – and those in the 50 to 64 age range every five. Health bosses say screening is one of the best ways to protect against cervical cancer. Dr Amy Tatham, a GP and the associate clinical director for maternity and women’s health with NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group, moved to reassure people as Cervical Cancer Prevention Week came to an end.
Incommunities has pledged £2,000 to the No Child Cold initiative. And it is urging other businesses, plus community groups and individuals, to get on board. With lockdown leading to home schooling and families spending more time indoors, many households have seen energy bills soar. It’s estimated that at least 21,000 youngsters in the district are living in households that are struggling to afford the cost of extra heating this winter. The No Child Cold campaign is being spearheaded by a partnership including Bradford Council, Citizens Advice – which has a base at Central Hall in Alice Street, Keighley – and voluntary-sector groups. Give Bradford, which supports community organisations, is helping to process contributions to the campaign. So far, online donations have reached nearly £10,000.
AMBITIOUS plans proposed by Bradford health bosses to vaccinate the whole of the district’s population could be limited by the “changing nature” of the national programme. The plan, set out in a report dated January 12 and due to be discussed by councillors next week, said the aim was to vaccinate all over-50s registered with a GP in the Bradford and Craven district by March and over-18s by July, with a deadline of June 30 to give all cohorts their second jabs. A total of 25,530 vaccines would be needed per week to hit the target. The report even indicated that Rimmington’s Pharmacy in Bradford city centre, which has been designated as a Community Pharmacy Vaccination Centre by NHS England, could begin vaccinating the 18-49 cohort as early as Monday, January 25.
A KEIGHLEY councillor has praised the support given so far to a campaign which aims to ensure all children can study at home in warm conditions this winter. The No Child Cold initiative has been launched to support disadvantaged families across the district which are faced with extra heating costs due to the latest national lockdown. Bradford Council is running the campaign in partnership with Citizens Advice – which has a base at Central Hall in Alice Street, Keighley – Give Bradford and Community Action Bradford. With people spending more time at home and children learning remotely while schools are closed to most pupils, families have been hit with higher energy bills.