Health

CHRISTMAS pharmacy opening times have been released by Bucks Primary Care Trust (PCT).
Anyone needed an emergency chemist over the festive period should follow the list below to know where their nearest service will be:

PRESSURE to increase funding to prevent widespread cost-saving cuts at Amersham Hospital was piled on the Government this week.
Cheryl Gillan, MP for Chesham and Amersham, spoke in Parliament of how she had received 'heartbreaking' letters from her constituents who face longer journeys due to a 40 per cent reduction in outpatients services at the Whielden Street hospital.
She called the adjournment debate, which took place on Tuesday as staff at the hospital fear for their jobs, and was joined by Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve, Aylesbury MP David Lidington, and Wycombe MP Paul Goodman.

RESIDENTS of Chesham and Amersham have been named as having the worst carbon footprint than anyone else in the country.
A new survey has said householders living in the political constituency covering the two towns produce the most carbon dioxide - with the average home giving out 29.18 tonnes every year.
Research by data analysts Experian, which found a direct link between wealth and willingness to help the environment, showed the the towns to be top of the league with Henley, Oxfordshire, coming in second place and nearby Beaconsfield, which produces 28.79 tonnes annually, ranked third.
The revelations come at a time with the subject is under international scrutiny as world leaders are due to meet in Copenhagen to talk about combating global warming.

OXFORDSHIRE and Bucks Mental Health Trust have appointed a new chairman.
Martin Howell will take up his post from April 2010 and leave his current position as non-executive director of South Central Strategic Health Authority.
He said: "I am delighted to be appointed as chair of OBMH. The organisation has come a long way in recent years and I look forward to building on this strong foundation and becoming part of their future successes."

A NEW website is set to be launched which will give residents the chance to see how well their public services are doing online.
Oneplace will give details on council and NHS services and will use a green and red flag system to rate them.
The website, www.audit-commission.gov.uk/oneplace will go live on Wednesday, December 9.

AS TEMPERATURES drop across the county, health bosses have warned people to keep warm this winter.
Tracey Ironmonger, NHS Bucks assistant director for public health, said: "It is vital to look after yourself and stay warm and well during the cold, winter months.
"It is important for people to plan ahead and find out what help is available and what measures they can adopt to ensure they are protected against the winter, this is equally prevalent with the outbreak of swine flu."
People are advised to dress warm indoors and outdoors, get a flu jab if possible, and eat well.
For more advice visit www.campaigns.direct.gov.uk/keepwarmkeepwell.

A SWINE flu vaccination programme has begun in Bucks with all pregnant women in the county to be given the jab.
Bucks Primary Care Trust (PCT) began rolling out the programme this week with GP surgeries sent supplies of the vaccination on Monday.
Along with pregnant women, frontline health workers in the county will be offered the jab and those who are currently 'at risk' of seasonal flu and people battling cancer.

A NEW non-executive director has been appointed to Bucks Primary Care Trust (PCT).
Qualified accountant Elaine Deste has worked in director roles for Tesco and Safeway and will serve a four year team with receive £13,136 per year.

PATIENTS in Chesham face uncertainty as cost saving measures are set to take place at their nearest hospital in a major-shake up of services.
Amersham Hospital currently provides outpatients services, which it is feared may be axed from the site and moved.
However Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust insists it wants to provide care closer to home in 'outreach' centres.

PEOPLE with mental health problems displayed some of their artwork at Chesham Town Hall at the weekend to raise awareness of their conditions.
Buckinghamshire MIND, a charity which provide mental health services in the county, organised the exhibition on Saturday to celebrate World Mental Health Day.