The study discovered that patients “skipped” or “stretched out” medicine, potentially making their illness worse. The UK survey has also found more than a third of patients are struggling with drug costs due to the recession.

Whilst this study highlights problems faced by patients suffering with a specific illness, it is undoubtedly the case that a review of precription charging is now well overdue. Many people are suffering because they cannot afford multiple prescriptions and so go without with the inevitable consequences. the recession has just aggravated the situation further.

What until recently affordability was mainly a problem facing dental patients, the problem has now spread to general medication. Whilst the Government has promised a review in the autumn we need urgent action now to deal with this growing health risk.

1st - Area Partnership Chairs, Bury Town Hall

7th - Climate Change Working Group, Bury Town Hall

8th - Bury Council Executive Committee, Bury Town Hall 6pm

9th - Prestwich Area Partnership, Sedgley Park School, Bishops Rd, from 6pm for 6.30 start

15th - Economy, Environment and Transport Scutiny Commission, Bury Town Hall

The admission from Cllr Gunther was in response to a question from Lib Dem councillor, Mary D’Albert (St.Mary’s ward).

But most astonishing was the reply that for the period May 07 to June 09 Bury Council has paid out on 333 highways claims with the total amounting to a shocking £2.1 Million. The average claim was just under £6500.

This is further evidence if needed that Bury’s roads are in a terrible state and in need of massive investment. At he full council meeting we called on the Council to consider drastic action, if need be obtaining one off loans to bring inject much needed funds into the highways maintenance programme.

The Conservative leader of the council conceded that the amount needed to bring our roads up to speed is more likely to be in the region of £40 million.

One thing is sure we need action now, because our roads are getting worse, claims are going through the roof and accidents are likely to happen.

Taking into account the extraordinary service and committment of our service personnel across the world and domestically in recent years then surely this commemorative day is not before time.

This country is naturally proud of the men and women who serve this country, often in extremely difficult not to mention dangerous cirumstances. Prepared to lay down their lives if necessary.

I for one will be remembering past members of my family that have served this country and thinking of those especially in Afghanistan and still in Iraq that are being called on to risk the ultimate sacrifice.

However it is a shame she is operating in an apparently ever diminishing democratic environment at the Town hall.

To recap the Conservatives have made it more difficult for members of the public to ask questions at council, they have limited questions from councillors at Full Council and restricted questions at Executive meetings, they require further notice of questions in writing. On top of that they are in my opinion trying to restrict the scrutiny commissions scrutiny of policy and limiting the scrutiny commissions work programme of items they may wish to scrutinise. And if that wasn’t bad enough if an item is scrutinised, any recommendations to teh Executive tend to be ignored - at least if opposition members have had a significant input.

We desperately need to open up our democracy and re-engage with members of the public. The public we serve!

It’s time our democratic decision making and policy review structures were completely reviewed, if necessary with the aid of independant advisors or members.

Whilst he clarified his comments last night, I told him that his remarks had been totally insensitive to the concerns of disabled people in the Borough not least Radcliffe and he should have apologised.

I also put it to him that the disability access issue is symptomatic of a Conservative Council making policy in a panic, on-the hoof and that the reorganisation of high schools had been mishandled and was a shambles.

He neither apologised or agreed with me - no surprise there. What was surprising was the leader of the Labour group accusing me of hypocrisy. This was apparently because we supported the motion to proceed with merger (with the Derby) to get the school built. Cheap points scoring, when he knows full well we never agreed to close Riverside before The Derby High. And we have consistently pressed for the pupils, parents, staff and Governors to be fully consulted and kept on side all along. Of course what we now know is that the Tories panicked and the rest is history.

But he started to impose himself - cutting short a couple of MP’s that threatened to waffle on, calling for MP’s to be quite while people spoke etc, and in his post PMQ’s statement he has demanded that Ministers make statements to the Commons BEFORE varied radio and TV programmes. How will the spin doctors cope - we’ll see what happens when that dictat is tested.

Pity he can’t force people to answer questions properly, never mind one step at a time.

It is understood she may have contracted the virus on a visit to Scotland recently.

As a result the school have taken appropriate measures to contain the virus and have sent home identified possible contacts with the affected pupil. I understand about 50 pupils have been sent home. 

Vic D’Albert commented, “These are frankly frightening statistics and in many ways a sad reflection on modern society. I just hope and pray that these statistics represent most if not all of the “iceberg” rather than the tip. There is no place for abuse in our society whether child or elder abuse and I would implore anyone who is worried about an individuals welfare and the possibility of abuse to contact the authorities immediately. I also applaud the Police and Council officers for their efforts and diligence in what must often be very trying and disturbing circumstances.”

Bury Police also confirmed that between 90 and 110 incidents of domestic violence are reported in Bury each week. The unit also investigates 120 reports of serious sexual offences each year, including 40 rapes, and 300 video interviews per year are conducted with vulnerable witnesses and victims. Around 100 complaints are received in Bury each year about the abuse of elderly and vulnerable people.

To report a crime contact the unit by calling (0161) 872 5050.

More pictures here.