Hat trick of honours

Some of Hull City Council's most vital services – which support the city's most needy residents - have been given a thumbs-up by Government inspectors.
Children and Young People's Services (CYPS) was awarded three out of four stars and a rating of 'good' while, in a separate assessment, Adult Social Care Services was awarded two out of three stars and also rated as 'good.'
The Benefits Service, which deals with housing and council tax benefits, was rated as 'excellent' and particularly noted, among other things, for the short time it takes to process new claims.
"These results reflect the hard work of our dedicated council staff, who want to provide better quality services for local people," said Hull City Council chief executive, Kim Ryley.
"We realise there are further improvements still to be made, but we can take encouragement here in that we are well on the way to achieving our goal of overall effectiveness."
Key strengths noted in the report about Adult Social Care Services included the successful implementation of Telecare services, and also the way in which people with health problems are helped to live at home.
One example of these strengths being put into practice is the launch of the new 'Telehealth' programme, which enables patients with lung and heart disease to monitor their own health daily while living at home.
Provided in partnership with other organisations, including the local NHS and the University of Hull, the programme uses a special unit which allows patients to relay information to health workers through their telephone line.
"In the past we had to hospitalise patients for long periods simply to monitor their condition, when they were in fact well enough to be at home," says Angela Dunn, head of the council's community care service.
"But this way, we can still track patients' health closely and react quickly if their condition worsens."
Meanwhile, the CYPS assessment focused on its contribution to ensuring that Hull's children and young people are "healthy, safe, that they enjoy and achieve, that they make a positive contribution to their community, and that they achieve economic wellbeing."
Four of these areas were judged as 'good,' with the fifth rated as 'adequate.'

For more information about any of the above services call 300300 or visit www.hullcc.gov.uk