Rural Access to Health and Care Services

Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and recruitment hurdles for healthcare workers.

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15 Jun 2020

Track and Trace Public Health Grant Allocation unfair to rural

Rural Authorities have yet again been unfairly treated by Government in financial distributional issues. This time it is in respect of the distribution of the Track and Trace Public Health...

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08 Jun 2020

New statistics suggest regional epicentres of COVID-19

Several outlets report on the widening north-south COVID-19 divide, with fatalities and new infections far more common in regions outside of London Research shows new infections are nearly twice as...

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01 Jun 2020

Public health directors urge delay to lockdown easing amid test and trace confusion

Significant concerns are being raised by directors of public health and other leading sector figures that the lockdown is being eased too quickly, as confusion remains over how the test...

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01 Jun 2020

Tough new rules to lock down whole towns to rapidly isolate new COVID-19 sufferers

The Sun warns that some towns could face isolated lockdown measures if there are regional flare-ups, as Boris Johnson announced the Government’s crucial new ‘track and trace’ programme this week...

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27 May 2020

Over 65 population projections (2012 to 2043)

The following analysis demonstrates the future challenges facing local authorities in supporting communities, with predicted ageing populations for all authority types. The predicted proportion of population who are 65 and...

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26 May 2020

RSN asks Government for local approach to track and trace

The Rural Services Network, along with other members of the Rural Coalition, a grouping of organisations representing rural areas has written to Rt Hon Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State...

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26 May 2020

Northern Pennines Moorland Group distribute PPE to local NHS trusts

In a bid to help our healthcare professionals, gamekeepers and moorland managers from across the Northern Pennines have joined forces to collect personal protective equipment [PPE] which has been donated...

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18 May 2020

Covid-19 rural lockdown exit strategy update from the RSN

In a recent Bulletin we report on the letter dated 14th April sent to Matt Hancock, The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the Coronavirus exit strategy...

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18 May 2020

Coronavirus: £5bn needed to stop local cuts say county councils

English councils have called on the government to provide a £5bn “income guarantee” to prevent local authorities from having to cut services as the coronavirus hits finances The County Councils...

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18 May 2020

Coastal towns feel fear over lockdown easing

During the Number 10 COVID-19 press conference on Tuesday 12th May, a reporter from the Lincolnshire Echo raised concerns from residents worried that the relaxation of lockdown guidance would drive...

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