The demonstration organised by Save Our NHS in Kent (SONiK) on February 3rd was a great success. Much media coverage before and after the event has raised the profile of the campaign to save the stroke service at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM). I’ve posted some of this below. Currently in consultation, the […]
Category: General
Craig Mackinlay backs plans to close NHS stroke service in Margate
I have been on BBC Radio Kent this morning ahead of today’s demonstration at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM). Once again, Craig Mackinlay accuses us of making political milage out of a threat to NHS services. This is political! The austerity measures of Craig’s government are putting people’s lives at risk. Closing the […]
Stroke Units in Kent – Our questions need answers
Many of us are now aware of the threat of closure of emergency stroke services at QEQM Hospital in Margate. A plan is on the table to rationalise the service and cut the number of stroke units in Kent from seven to three. The implication for residents in Thanet is that our nearest unit will […]
Thanet’s NHS surgeries shake up will hit us all
It seems an advanced plans for a massive shake up of General Practice’s surgeries (GPs) and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) services is well underway. Here is my take on the plans and impact, but nothing is yet in the open so I am surmising a likely direction of travel and outcomes based […]
Thanet tops child poverty table
Thanet has the highest rate of child poverty in Kent and the south east, with around 10,500 children affected according to a survey by End Child Poverty. This is utterly repugnant to me and should be to all Thanet’s residents. All children should have an equal chance. Child poverty scars and hurts for life. As […]
Tories scupper Thanet’s Local Plan over Manston
Thanet’s Labour councillors have spoken with one voice to alert local residents to the dire consequences of the failure to pass the Local Plan. After the Thanet Local Plan was rejected by 35 votes to 20 on Thursday 18th January our council is now in a state of crisis. Conservative, UKIP and independent district councillors […]
Guesting with Paul on Politics
For the first of his KMTV shows for 2018, Paul Francis invited myself and the Green Party’s Martin Whybrow to discuss recent political developments at KCC and in Westminster. Amongst the topics we covered were Theresa May’s (sort of) reshuffle, bus services in Kent, the new Tory green agenda and Brexit. KMTV is the TV […]
Karen Constantine: District & County Council Report, October 2017
October was a busy month, especially because I was fortunate to be called on to visit Kurdistan. I went as part of UK delegation who were visiting to ensure that the referendum for independence, was free, fair and unobstructed. Which it was. I learnt a great deal about this complex situation, about Middle East politics, […]
Karen Constantine: District & County Council Report, September 2017
I’m what’s known as a ‘double hatter’, I sit on both Thanet District Council and Kent County Council as a local councillor. As Thanet District councillor for Newington and Kent County councillor for Ramsgate, I have a great variety of issues and responsibilities to attend to. I believe in accountability and transparency and I like […]
Disability Ordeal – Heartening community reaction
Following the post from a couple of days ago about the plight of the Tozsu family in Newington, I can now share the BBC Radio Kent coverage. Mr and Mrs Tozsu have two children, each with severe disability. The home they live in is not suitable for the level of care they and the local […]