Since the beginning of January I have been caring for my eldest daughter, in Lancashire, who was injured in a road accident. She broke both arms, and has been unable of course to eat, dress, bathe etc. Since she has no family members who were available to help, I stepped into the breach.
I, of course, feel that as their district and county councillor I have been unable to “look after” the residents of Spalding Wygate and Spalding South as I would have wished for the past weeks, and although technology has helped it cannot replace human interaction.
Spending time in a different county enables comparisons with Lincolnshire’s ways and means. As Housing and Health and Wellbeing Cabinet member I naturally looked at the Health Service as it affected my daughter. The ambulance service was excellent and the A&E Department at Blackpool Victoria hospital was first class. This is a teaching hospital and the continuing care and Crisis Care (post accident) could not be faulted. I will convey the impressions I took from this experience to the Health and Wellbeing board at Lincolnshire County Council. An important lesson I have taken from this experience is understanding the extremely hard work which is the carers lot. Later this month I will be attending the Lincolnshire Carers Award event, and my somewhat limited experience will serve to enhance my admiration for the carers, without whose often selfless efforts our services would find it difficult to cope.
I have enjoyed discussions with my daughter’s district councillor (Fylde Borough Council) and found that Lincolnshire and Lancashire (both Conservative councils) share the same problems but not necessarily the same solutions. Wheelie bins are used here, some houses have four to deal with landfill, plastic waste, paper and garden waste, on alternate weeks. I must own up to preferring our weekly collections and system of collection.
I other areas I have noted that pothole proliferation is possibly worse than in Spalding, and there is a lack of affordable housing, with Housing Associations being the registered providers. With our stock-holding status and our plans to build more social and private housing via our own Housing Company I feel South Holland stands well in comparison.
My daughter will be out of plaster casts next week and her husband is able to return from his job in the near east for a short time, so I am able go home to Spalding with a clear conscience knowing her recovery is well underway.
I am most grateful to the officers at SHDC and LCC for their good wishes and understanding of my familial problems.
My fellow councillors and particularly my ward member partner Roger Gambba-Jones have been very helpful and I intend to hit the deck running on my much wished-for return to Lincolnshire.
Thank you to all.
Christine Lawton
Spalding
