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Issue:- Monday, 15 February 2016

Headlines and reports on this page = 3 news items. Page - 14.

Merseyside Police are continuing to warn motorists of the dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs

ON 2 March 2015 the drug driving law changed. It is now an offence to drive with certain drugs above a specified level in your blood; just as it is with drink driving. 17 legal and illegal drugs are covered by the law, including:- cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine. The limits for all illegal drugs are extremely low and taking even a very small amount of an illegal drug could put you over the limit.

During 2015 there were 325 drug drive arrests in Merseyside compared to just 110 in 2014; 66 of the drug drive arrests were in December 2015. Drugs were detected in 98% of the samples submitted to the forensic labs in 2015 and a total of 73% of drivers were prosecuted.

The penalties for drug driving are the same as for drink driving. If you are convicted you will receive a minimum 12 month driving ban; a criminal record and a hefty fine or up to 6 months in prison or both.

Sergeant Paul Mountford from Merseyside Police's Roads Policing Unit, said:- "In the same way that drink driving can affect you, driving while under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous and can affect your driving skills in a number of ways. You don't have to be on illegal drugs to be impaired to drive; prescription or over the counter medicines can also impair your ability to drive. If you're taking medicines, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional before driving. Our advice would be; do not drive if you feel drowsy, dizzy, unable to concentrate or make decisions, or if you have blurred or double vision and do not accept a lift from a driver you know has taken drugs."

You can watch a video now of Sgt Mountford talking about the issue of drug driving on YouTube.

Cadets to reach for the Sky with the Army Air Corps

MERSEYSIDE Cadets will have the chance to experience an action packed visit to 9 Regiment Army Air Corps (9 AAC), at Dishforth Airfield in North Yorkshire this week. In all 24 cadets from various Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and Air Training Corps (ATC) Squadrons will visit 9 AAC on Tuesday, 16 February 2016, and Wednesday, 17 February 2016.

The visit aims to inform the cadets, all aged between 13 and 20 years old, on the roles and functions of the Army Air Corps. More importantly, it is an opportunity for them to explore a potential future vocation and ask any questions they may have about what a career flying in the Army involves. The cadets will be thrown in at the deep end with a taster of an Army Physical Training (PT) session. Conducted in a fun, but challenging manner, the PT instructors will look to show the cadets what a typical training session involves, including obstacle courses, circuits and various team sports. The cadets will also get a demonstration of the vital task that the Defence Fire Rescue Service provides; keeping our aircrew safe and protecting them from harm should the worst happen.

To round off the trip, the young cadets will be shown around a Lynx Mk9A helicopter, complete with its capable camera system and side mounted machine gun. Following a talk from 1 of the Army's highly experienced crewmen on the operation of the camera and .50 cal gun, the cadets will also all get the exciting opportunity to fly in the back of a Lynx and see the local area from the air.

For most of the cadets this will be the 1st experience they would have had of Army aviation, with their military exposure to date focussed on the RAF and its fixed wing aircraft. The visit was organised by Capt Jordan Jones, an Army Air Corps Pilot and ATC Instructor on the weekends.

"This will excite these young and enthusiastic cadets, all of whom have little knowledge of the Army Air Corps and what it does. They should leave here having been thoroughly entertained and informed of the exciting opportunity that the Army could provide them as pilots." said Capt Jones, himself an ex ATC cadet.

Capt Jones currently gives up his free time on weekends to instruct young cadets on the Grob Tutor fixed wing aircraft. He loves military aviation and hopes to inspire a future generation to have the ambition to achieve what they are capable of. His hometown is Liverpool and he regularly instructs at 90 (Speke) Sqn ATC in Garston.

Non executive directors appointed at Trust!

THE NHS Trust Development Authority has confirmed the appointment of Carol Baxter and Ann Pennell as non executive directors of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust.

Professor Carol Baxter's career has embraced the public sector in a variety of roles, including as a nurse advisor to central government departments, national and international agencies and as a professor of nursing. She was also Head of Equality, Diversity and Human Rights at NHS Employers from 2005 to 2014.

Ann Pennell has more than 15 years' experience at a senior director level in local government and has held a number of Board level management positions working closely with the NHS in children and young people's services; social care; and housing, education and regeneration.

Carol and Ann have been appointed for 2 years each and are entitled to receive a remuneration of Ł6,157 a year. Carol's term of office runs from 1 February to 31 January 2018 and Ann's started on 22 December 2015 and runs until 21 December 2017. They succeed Rodney Dykes, who had completed the maximum tenure on the Board of 8 years, and Caroline Whalley Hunter who leaves after 3 years.

Trust Chair Sue Musson said:- "I am delighted to welcome Carol and Ann. They bring a wealth of experience which I know will be of great benefit to the Trust, its staff and patients."

Non-executive appointments to NHS trusts made by the NHS Trust Development Authority are subject to the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The current members of the Board are listed on the Trust website.

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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