Facing up to HIV and hepatitis “As symptoms often present late there are many missed testing opportunities within the NHS to prevent the viruses from causing severe damage and being transmitted to other people.” barts health nhs trust Swap till you drop You can trade in your unwanted things for something else at the latest swap shop. For details visit... recycling@towerhamlets.gov.uk News News in brief Speedy response COMMENTS on counci l proposals to reduce the speed limit across the borough to 20mph must be submitted by this Friday, October 31. The speed limit would be implemented on all roads except for the A12 and Limehouse Link/ Aspen Way. Further details can be found at www.tower hamlets.gov.uk/consultation Send comments to road. safety@towerhamlets.gov.uk or write to Road Safety, Tower Hamlets Council, 6th floor Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, E14 2BG. £15m museum plan THE Geffrye Museum is holding an open evening on Tuesday, November 4 where visitors can hear about the plans for its £15 million redevelopment, and meet the director and architects. The plans will create almost 40 per cent more space in the museum’s 18th century, grade 1 listed almshouses in Kingsland Road, E2. The event runs from 6-7.30pm. Food for thought A TALK by Professor Tim Benton, a global food security expert in Bethnal Green this Monday, October 27, will discuss the challenges of sustainably feeding the world’s population. It takes place from 6.30-8pm at The Gallery Café, 21 Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green. Green grub efforts praised BY IAN READ THE council has been praised for its efforts to make the borough’s food healthier and more sustainable. It has come second out of all 33 London boroughs in the annual Good Food for London report. The report, produced by the London Food Link, assesses each borough on its achievements in a range of criteria. Tower Hamlets was awarded nine out of ten for its efforts, second only to Islington and up from third place last year. Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “We are proud of our achievements in this area and remain committed to doing everything in our power to encourage our residents to live healthily. “Despite the borough’s poverty profile and deep government cuts, we have continued to invest in activities that promote healthy and sustainable living because we know this can have longterm benefits for our residents.” Achievements which have contributed to the success include supporting breastfeeding, achieving Fairtrade status for the borough, and offering and promoting the London Living Wage. The council holds the Silver Food for Life Catering Mark, meaning school meals are fresh and sustainable. It uses sustainable fish in its catering services and buys free range eggs. And the council’s Food for Health Awards encourages food retailers to offer healthier options to their customers. ACTOR Richard Wilson visited the Royal London Hospital to back a campaign encouraging emergency patients to be tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C. As part of the week-long Going Viral campaign, patients having a blood test were also offered tests for all three viruses. Dr Chloe Orkin, consultant physician at the trust, said: “New treatments mean now is an excellent time to find out your HIV and hepatitis status. Patients treated for HIV can live a normal lifespan and new hepatitis C drugs cure more than 80 per cent of those treated. We can vaccinate people in contact against hepatitis B, and treat those infected.” Anyone testing positive would be referred to a specialist clinic for care. Richard Wilson with Dr Emma Wallis after a blood test Cllr Abdul Asad, cabinet member for health and adult services, told East End Life: “We believe it’s important for a council to lead the way locally, which is why we have championed important initiatives such as the London Living Wage, Fairtrade status and breastfeeding. “Our catering service was recently named the best in Britain, meaning schoolchildren and people who receive meals on wheels are getting fresh, healthy meals from ethical sources.” Anti-social behaviour tops agenda at housing forum FRONTLINE council officers and staff from housing providers shared good practice on tackling anti-social behaviour at a conference hosted by Tower Hamlets Housing Forum. Aimed at making residents feel safer in their homes, the event on October 17 also had discussions on the most pressing issues currently facing forum members. Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “By bringing all the members of the Tower Hamlets Housing Forum together, we can achieve more to bear down on antisocial behaviour.” During the conference, intervention, prevention and enforcement strategies were also discussed. For more information about the forum, including a list of the current members, visit http:// tinyurl.com/lhb2oa5 Swap something you don’t want for something you do IF you’re clearing out stuff you no longer want, why not take them to the latest swap shop? Taking place in Mile End Children’s Centre on Wednesday, October 29, the event calls on people to get rid of reusable, clean items and take away things they like for free. Books, DVDs, CDs, clothes, shoes, toys and bric-a-brac can be taken along between 11am and 3pm to the centre, 9 Bede Square, Joseph Street, off Bow Common Lane, E3. Large items, such as furniture, can also be swapped – simply take along a photo or description. Items such as household batteries, printer cartridges, low energy light bulbs, bikes and small electrical appliances can be taken for recycling. For more information call 7364 5004 or email recycling@ towerhamlets.gov.uk 27 OCTOBER – 2 NOVEMBER 2014 N E W S F R O M T O W E R H A M LETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 5
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