Shannon's blog

At the end of last year the Home Office announced the largest increase in police funding since 2010, with an increase of £970m planned for 2019-2020.  The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid said there will be “more money for local police forces, counter-terrorism and tackling serious and organised crime”, adding that “it will enable the police to recruit more officers and be better placed to respond to the increasing complex crimes they face.”

It’s that time of year when hospitals are under extra pressure.  The cold weather often sees a rise in emergency admissions and an increase in the levels of flu and norovirus affecting both staff and patients can cause difficulties for many NHS Trusts.  And this is before even mentioning the impact of the festive season!

Last year was particularly difficult with a number of hospitals postponing operations, ambulances queuing up outside A&E departments or being diverted, while hospital corridors were filled with patients on trolleys waiting for beds to become available.  

The Knife Angel sculpture, created by artist Alfie Bradley, will be moving to Hull at the end of January after spending Christmas and New Year outside Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.