Current air quality

Air quality in Havering is generally good compared to elsewhere in London.

However the recent sand from the Sahara has had an impact on air quality which can cause problems  for people with breathing difficulties.

Havering Council is part of the airTEXT service which provides daily updates on air quality across London.

Download the free airTEXT smart phone app giving forecasts for today and tomorrow of pollution, UV, grass pollen and temperature forecasts.

The airTEXT service sends alerts direct to your mobile phone, email address and/or Twitter account.

You can sign up for this free service here.

You can also use our Report It Online service to request air quality information.

Queen's and King George's hospitals

Special Measures: Improvement Plan update

The finalised Improvement Plan will be presented to the Trust Board at its meeting on the Wednesday, 3rd April. 

The plan has been set out into five key workstreams:

Workforce; recruiting, retaining and developing and deploying the right number of permanent staff we need to provide high quality care 24/7.

Patient flow and emergency pathway; making sure our patients are assessed and treated promptly and are supported to return home as soon as they are medically fit to leave hospital.  Also to ensure that patients are cared for in the right place with the right follow up care.

Patient care and clinical governance; supporting all of our care with effective management of patient notes and information, a systems which alert us quickly to any problems.

Outpatients; to ensure effective management of our outpatient services so appointments run on time, every time.

Leadership and organisation; putting the right systems, structures, check and balances in place to ensure our Trust is properly managed from Board to ward.

Once agreed by the Trust Board, it will be reviewed by the NTDA in conjunction with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The improvement plan will then be published on NHS Choice and the Trust website.  Updates will be published monthly to show progress against the plan.

New Beauty Salon

New Beauty and Complementary Therapy Salon

The Adult College based in Collier Row has opened a Beauty and Complementary Therapy Salon.  The salon offers a variety of beauty and complementary therapy treatments from as little as £2.00 for a file and polish.  All treatments are carried out by learners under the supervision of professional teaching staff. 

If you would like to treat yourself call the Adult College on 01708 434955 to book an appointment.

Make your vote count

Make your vote count

On Thursday 22 May you can vote in two elections to make your voice heard.

Your first ballot paper is to elect three councillors to represent your ward on Havering Council for the next four years.

Your second ballot paper is to elect London’s eight Members of the European Parliament for the next five years.

Before you can vote you must be on the Electoral Register and you have until Tuesday 06 May to make sure you are included.

Many people find it easier to vote by post rather than go to the Polling Station and if you wish to vote by post your application must be received not later than Wednesday 07 May.

For more information:  email elections@havering.gov.uk or call 01708 432444

Operation Scaffold builds defences against rogue traders

​Skips, scaffolding and building materials in the garden are some of the items that could attract a visit from Havering Council Trading Standards and Havering Police as part of a continuing campaign against rogue traders.

​Operation Scaffold involves joint patrols across the borough with visits being made to properties where building work is taking place to check that the buyer knows their rights and that the builder is obeying the law, including giving written notice to the householder detailing their right to cancel the work. One in three of the visits in the last year led to action against the trader.

Since April 2013 85 visits have been made by the Operation Scaffold team with enforcement action being taken against traders on 26 occasions.  The visits are not all about enforcement but also through advice and assistance, help traders become aware of their obligations and trade fairly.

Operation Scaffold works to reduce doorstep crime and compliments other initiatives such as The Councils Banking Protocol which trains banks in the borough to be alert to unusual financial transactions on customers’ accounts, particularly in branch and if it is to pay construction related business alert police and Trading Standards so follow up checks can be made.

Havering Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Councillor Lesley Kelly said: “Operation Scaffold is proving a great success in helping protect local residents from traders who are not following the law. The best advice is to use traders who are members of Buy with Confidence as they are Trading Standards approved and will be following the law.”

Advice is available from 0845 404 0506 or emailtrading.standards@havering.gov.uk

Healthwatch wants to hear from you!

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HAVE YOUR SAY WITH HEALTHWATCH HAVERING

Healthwatch want to hear your experiences of health and social care service in Havering for people who have dementia or learning disabilities. Come along to;  HASWA, Greenfields, Kilmartin Way, Elm Park RM12 5NB on Monday 3rd March 1-3pm.  MYPLACE, 343Dagnam Park Drive, Romford RM3 9EN on Wednesday 5th March 6:45-8:45pm.

SALVATION ARMY, High Street, Romford RM1 1JJ on Thursday 6th March 1:30-3:30pm.

International Women's Day

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INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY – ‘SALUTING WOMEN’

Saturday 8th March 11.30am-4pm at Havering College of Further and Higher Education, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch RM11 2LL.  This FREE event focusses on the contribution women have made to society since World War 1.  With interactive workshops to learn new skills, demonstrations, inspirational speakers andinformation on opportunities available now for women, there’s plenty to enjoy. Schwap Shop Needs You! Bring along your good quality items of clothing to swap or buy something from the items on offer. Contact:kim.smith@havering.gov.uk or 01708 433393. Everyone welcome!