GIVING PATIENTS GREATER CHOICE
The NHS is changing to give patients a greater say in how they are treated. 
Choose and Book is one of the first initiatives to help bring about these changes and put the patient first.  It is a national service that will, for the first time, combine electronic booking and a choice of time, date and place for the first outpatient appointment and will enable patients to book this on the spot in their GP's surgery or from home on the telephone or via the internet.
One of the first noticeable changes in the Choose and Book initiative is a nationwide scheme for referring patients with cataracts that came into force on the 1 January 2005. Optometrists now offer a choice of two providers to all patients requiring cataract removal: Queen Mary's hospital, Sidcup, or Maidstone hospital.

Westminster Field--Litter Picker Wanted
We encourage the users of Westminster Field to take their rubbish home or deposit it in the bin provided but in the summer carelessly discarded litter can still be seen so the Parish Council is willing to pay for someone to do  litter clearance during the Summer months before and after the weekends. If you are interested contact Carol (865193) at the Parish Office to discuss.

Youth Activity Van

Team games, circus skills, parachute games, arts and crafts and much, much more can only mean one thing - Sevenoaks District Council's Youth Zone van will be out and about again this summer. The van and team will be visiting Westminster Field, Horton Kirby on

The fully equipped van includes seating for up to 10 people, disabled
access, music, video, DVD and PC facilities as well as loads of equipment for a wide variety of sports, arts and circus skills.

There is, of course, nothing to stop you going to other parishes as well or instead.  Check www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/youngpeople in early July for full details of all venues and workshops.

6

www.hortonkirbyandsouthdarenth.co.uk