Lewisham Foot Health Service Moves!
A new clinic for people who have foot problems opened on 8th August 2011. The new clinic (located in Ladywell Building South, University Hospital Lewisham) replaced existing facilities at the Dalton Centre in Catford which closed on 5th August 2011. The new facility offers a more comfortable waiting area, improved treatment rooms and better access for people with a disability.
Ciaran Devlin, Foot Health Manager at Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust commented: “We are very excited about the move to these state-of-the art facilities, which will really benefit patients. We will be able to treat patients in brand new treatment rooms, and improved access for patients with disabilities now means that patients in wheelchairs can access all five of our clinic rooms. The central high street location will also mean that there are better transport links for patients”
The foot health service provides a number of NHS podiatry services including general podiatry clinics, wound care clinics, biomechanics and gait analysis and an emergency walk-in clinic for patients with in-growing toenails.
Patients registered with a Lewisham GP who have a foot problem are able to self refer for treatment by completing the referral form that is available on the Trust website. There is also an emergency walk-in service for patients with ingrowing toenails. This service is available on Monday and Thursday between 1.30pm and 3pm. Patients for this service do not need to book an appointment in advance.
For more information, visit Lewisham NHS.
Recycling in Lewisham
Please visit our newest page to learn more about recycling in Lewisham.
Improved Opening Hours
From June 1st 2011 our office will be staffed every day -
please give us a call and we will get back to you within 24hrs.
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Met Police News - Call 101 for Non-Emergencies
The Met Police have just launched 101 as a new telephone number for all non-emergencies - i.e. to report crimes that have already happened, seek crime prevention advice or make us aware of any policing issues in your local area.
There will be translation services available, and a text phone number - 18001 101 - for deaf, hard of hearing or those with a speech impairment.
The number is already in use in some other parts of the country, and will be rolled out across England and Wales by December 2011.
Further info is available on http://www.met.police.uk/101/index.htm
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Benefits are changing! How will it affect you?
The Government’s comprehensive spending review in October contained a number of changes to welfare payments that will affect many people over the coming months.
Here are some of the proposed changes that we understand at the moment – we will update the website further as we can confirm what’s happening.
Main welfare changes –
- If you are a lone parent and your child reaches 7 you will be expected to actively look for work. Your benefit will move from Income support to Job seekers Allowance. Although the levels will not change the Employment Service can withhold benefit if they believe you are unreasonably refusing work.
- Everyone receiving Incapacity Benefit will have to undergo a new test. This test will be harder and the DwP estimate that 50% of applicants will fail it. Those passing the medical test will transfer to Employment Support Allowance (ESA) all others will be moved to Job Seekers Allowance (JSA).This will start in February 2011. If you presently receive Incapacity Benefit and fail the test you must speak with your local CAB about appealing.
- Changes to Housing benefit. It is the government’s stated aim to try and drive down the cost of the housing benefit bill. They aim to do this by –
- If you are single and under 35 you will no longer be able to receive benefit for more than the cost of one room in a house.
- HB will be limited to the size of property “deemed necessary” for working age tenants.
- There will be an increase in the deductions for non-dependents (For example adult children).
- The maximum HB anyone can receive will be the cost of a four bedroom property.
- HB will be cut by 10% for those claiming Job seeker Allowance for more than one year.
The changes to Housing benefit will come into effect on individual tenants claim renewal date.
However, the annual Winter fuel and cold weather payments will remain this year for pensioners.
If you think you are going to be affected by the cuts please do contact us – we can help. We have advocates who are experienced at appealing against Government decisions.
There are also proposals to change access to Social Housing for new tenants. We will update you on this when things become clearer..
Look out for our new advert on the Life Channel TV network when you’re next in the Rushley Green and Downham Surgeries !
Advice and help with form completion is offered for various adult and children’s benefits e.g. Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Housing and Council Tax Benefit, Social Services, NHS, GP’s etc.
We work closely with a number of organisations, including the Disability Alliance, MIND and Capital Volunteers.
Please feel free to browse our site by clicking on the buttons on the left hand side, if you have any questions then please either e-mail or call for further information.
LAPD would like to make it clear that we are not affiliated with any other disability organisation in Lewisham. We are the only independent Disability organisation in the Borough – open to all residents. We started in 1960 – and have been going ever since. We are happy to help – and have a success rate in advocacy second to none in South London.
If you’d like to know more – please contact us.
