KEECH Hospice Care has always been a haven for people with life-limiting illnesses.

Now its day care facilities are even better – thanks to a major grant from the Department of Health, plus several smaller ones from charitable trusts.

The sympathetically refurbished unit, which has been enlarged and enhanced and renamed Keech Palliative Care Centre, was officially opened by chief executive Mike Keel on Monday. He described it as “part of a long-term programme of improvements.”

Poorly patients can now enjoy creative drawing and painting sessions, as well as music and complementary therapies.

Adult services manager Elaine Tolliday said: “We have new dedicated spaces for art therapy, as well as private consulting rooms and improved toilet and bathroom facilities.

“There are also quiet areas for patients or carers to relax.”

She added: “Our aim has been to provide an environment where we can offer a wider range of services to significantly more patients and their carers.

“We’ll continue to run our established day service but will also be offering more drop-in sessions and out-patient clinics.

“We have multi-faith facilities and we’re also creating a games area to help support young people as they outgrow our children’s hospice.”

MAJOR concerns about failings in patient safety at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital have been raised by report by a healthcare watchdog.

The Care Quality Commission said bosses at the 600-bed hospital had failed to notify it that a worker was arrested in March following allegations that patients were sexually assaulted on a stroke ward.

There was also an allegation that a patient had been left to lie for long periods in soiled clothing, a year after hospital bosses were forced to apologise to the family of former land girl Clara Stokes over the same issue.

Poor discharge procedures meant one patient was discharged to a care home with surgical clips still in a wound, and another developed a potentially fatal pressure sore after being discharged with a leg brace in place, which care home staff hadn’t been told how to remove.

Another patient was alleged to have been sent home from A&E in the middle of the night in a taxi, wearing nightclothes and without hospital staff contacting family or carer, and could not get into their home.

In another case highlighted, a patient was discharged into a home, found to have renal failure and returned to the hospital’s A&E, only to be discharged to the home again two hours later with a note saying they needed fluids and food. The patient’s condition deteriorated rapidly and they were returned to the hospital, where they died “some hours later” said the report.

The hospital has also been criticised over its ‘inadequate’ staff training on safeguarding patients – which consists of a half-hour presentation.

Calling the hospital’s safeguarding arrangements “confused and fragmented”, the report added: “The failure to follow correct notification pathways has meant that no agency or authority had a full picture of safeguarding concerns at the hospital.”

Concerns were raised, too, about the level of support hospital staff received, with some workers reporting that appraisals had been cancelled or delayed.

A spokesman for the L&D said that, following the report, discharge and transfer plans had been reviewed and strenghtened, the staff appraisals programme had been revised, training had been increased and safeguarding alert reporting procedures had been reviewed.

Chief executive Pauline Philip said: “We immediately addressed the concerns raised by the CQC and have provided them with regular updates of the progress we have made to resolve their concerns.”

> How have you been treated at the L&D? Tell us your views – editorial@lutonnews.co.uk

BEDFORDSHIRE Police’s call centre could soon merge with those from Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire as part of cost-cutting measures.

The three forces are currently exploring the possibility of merging the centres, but plans are in the earliest stages.

A spokesman for Herts Police said: “This work is in its early stages and, due to its complexities, it will be some time before any decisions are reached.

Staff associations are closely involved as this programme of work develops and all staff affected consulted. All key decisions are subject to close and ongoing scrutiny and consultation with each of the three police authorities who will ultimately be the decision makers in respect of any changes.”

TOWN midfielder Keith Keane has vowed to win the Blue Square Bet Premier title next season to finally put back the club back where it belongs, writes Mike Simmonds.

Saturday’s crushing defeat on penalties to AFC Wimbledon condemned the Hatters to a third campaign in non-league, but Keane confirmed the players have already got their minds set on promotion next year.

He said: “I think we said straight after the game, no more funny business with the play-offs, we’ve got to go straight for it, not the easy way, but do it the better way and win the league. Then there’s no funny business, no lady luck, straight up and that’s what we’ll be aiming to do next season.”

For the full story, see this weeks Luton News / Dunstable Gazette

THE widow of a soldier killed by a rogue gunman in Afghanistan has described him as a “formidable soldier and leader”.

An inquest ruled on Friday that Warrant Officer Class 1 Darrent Chant, a former pupil at Lea Manor High School, was unlawfully killed while training members of the Afghan National Police at a checkpoint in Helmand province.

Following the four-day inquest in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, Nausheen Chant, who was pregnant when her husband was killed, said: “I’m immensely proud of my husband. This inquest has reinforced what I already knew about him.

“This will not be the final chapter for him. His heart still beats through our beautiful son, George, who will know his father through his legacy.”

The inquest heard that the soldiers’ killer, a police officer known as ‘Gulbuddin’ had opened fire on them at the checkpoint while they were off-duty.

ELECTROLUX customer account manager Terri Harbron, 25, will be taking part in this year’s Race for Life as she has done every year since her beloved nan, Marlene Harbron, died three years ago this Christmas.

Terri, who lives in south east Luton, feels she was robbed of the grandmother she adored because she died of a rare form of the disease contracted during radiotherapy after a mastectomy.

“My Nan was killed by the cure,” Terri said sadly. “She developed a rare type of skin cancer from the treatment.

“She had such a tough time. She had her breast removed and rebuilt from her stomach tissue eight years ago. Then about four years ago she was diagnosed with cancer again.” Terri is determined to raise as much as she can for Cancer Research UK because she feels not enough is known about the possible side effects of some of the treatments. She also wants to raise awareness of what can happen.

“My Nan and I were very close,” she said. “She used to look after me when my Mum was at work.

“She was such a lovely kind lady and she had a very funny laugh.

“She died on December 23, 2008 and I still can’t believe she’s gone.”

If you’d like to sponsor Terri, go to http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/terriharbron2810

> Race for Life takes place at Stockwood Park on Sunday June 26. Sign up now by ringing 0871 641 1111 or visit www.raceforlife.org

A EURO MP says a bid by the English Defence League to hijack an anti-racism meeting in Luton today (Thursday May 26) will not derail the event.

Richard Howitt will be joined by other members of the European Parliament to discuss racism and extremism, as part of his campaigning against far right groups across Europe.

But the EDL says it is angry at the politician’s criticism of their organisation.

EDL leader Tommy Robinson says he plans to try to enter a meeting planned at Luton Town Hall to put questions to Mr Howitt.

He said: “I want to get in and talk to him. Are they going to talk about militant Islam? They need to wake up and not be afraid to talk about the real problem.

“The EDL hasn’t got a stall outside Don Miller’s in the town centre every week. We’re not the ones they need to stop.

“It’s just a political stunt by Richard Howitt so he can say that he’s stopped racism.”

Mr Howitt says the MEPs, from five European countries, have “hands-on” experience in tackling extremism, and that the aim of the visit is to show that Luton is a “centre of excellence” for combating racism and extremism.

During the visit they will speak with faith leaders, councillors, trade unionists, Unite Against Fascism, Searchlight and join with the Luton Town FC Managing Director and players.

Commenting on the possibility of an EDL protest during today’s event, he said: “The demonstration against me is a typical example of the EDL shouting and screaming from the sidelines and causing upset and fear while ordinary people just want to get on with living peacefully and happily in Luton.

“My European MEP colleagues were saddened to see people from France, Germany and Denmark joining the ranks of the EDL march in Luton earlier this year.

“The significance of the EDL spreads far beyond the UK’s shores which is why we need a Europe-wide response and I think the EDL must be running scared if they feel they need to hold a protest on Thursday.

“Luton is resilient and Lutonians won’t let racists and extremists dictate to them. I am confident threats and intimidation by the EDL aimed at stirring up panic, racial hatred and fear will never succeed in dividing Luton.”

LUTON submitted its formal bid to become a city outside Whitehall yesterday afternoon, hoping to beat off competition from more than 20 other towns.

While the world’s eyes were focussed on London for US President Barack Obama’s visit, schoolchildren, politicians and representatives from the Love Luton bid handed over a document pinpointing why the town should win the race to become a city as part of the Queen’s diamond jubilee celebrations.

Just yards from where dozens of Islamic extremists protested loudly ahead of Obama’s visit and passers-by shouted EDL, echoing scenes that have seen Luton infamously and so often unfairly hit the headlines, bid chairman and Luton Airport managing director Glyn jones handed the glossy culmination of nine months’ hard graft to Cabinet Office minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach. It is the latest attempt to boost the town and banish negative perceptions associated with it.

But the handover is just the beginning of the next stage in the fight to make Luton a city, according to Mr Jones.

He told the Luton News outside Parliament yesterday: “What makes this a different bid is that it is a community-led bid. This is really about what Luton wants and I think that’s what makes this bid really credible.

“The process we’ve gone through, bringing people together and making them think about what they love about Luton, is bound to leave a strong residue and if the bid is successful it puts us on the inward investment agenda, it makes people think about locating their business here, it says to people that this is a great place to work, this is a great place to live and a great place to invest.

“I think what it does is starts to change the future of Luton.”

The Love Luton campaign has raised more than £100,000 from local businesses and encouraged Luton residents to directly input into the bid document through various competitions.

Luton will compete with the likes of bookies favourite Reading and nearby Milton Keynes, with the town slightly behind the frontrunners with odds of 20-1.

But Luton South MP Gavin Shuker believes that Luton stands a great chance.

He said: “The best thing is this bid is not just about the local council, or politicians, it’s about the whole of Luton pulling together to deliver it.”

City status brought around 30,000 jobs and £5billion investment to Sunderland when it was crowned as part of the Queen’s Jubilee in 1992.

Labour Council leader Hazel Simmons said: “The key factor for me is the regeneration it will bring.

“We know about the boost a town gets from it and added to our excellent transport links and fantastic airport, we think it will make Luton a fantastic city.”

The successful bid is announced in February 2012.

For more information on the Love Luton bid, log onto www.loveluton.org.uk.

>To watch Natalee Hazelwood’s video report from Whitehall log onto www.lutontoday.co.uk.

A REPEAT of big bucks spending a la Crawley of last season will not affect Town’s plans for the forthcoming campaign, writes Mark Wood.

Disappointment in Saturday’s play-off final means that the Hatters will have to spend a third-straight year in the Conference.

Although they will not be blowing their cheque book to buy success, managing director Gary Sweet believes Luton are well placed to score automatic promotion.

He said: “The game of football is not just about throwing money at it.

“Crawley did it and succeeded but they could have done it and failed. The nightmare scenario would be to throw an extra couple of million at something and for it to fail.

“We certainly will be working better to make sure we give it a better shot next season.

“ I don’t think we will be in a worse condition (financially).

“Our budget doesn’t necessarily need to be assessed either.

“I believe we have the nucleus of a great team.

“It is missing some components but there’s a great spirit and those elements we don’t want to lose.”

While he admitted it was impossible to tell if another team in the Blue Square Bet Premier may be planning to do a ‘Crawley’, Sweet asserted that it wouldn’t affect what the Hatters do anyway.

He added: “This time last year no-one had an inkling what Crawley were planning.

“If we hear Fleetwood were throwing £3million at it or none of the teams were, it doesn’t affect the way we would go about it. We won’t change our game plan regardless of what other people do.”

EAGLE-EYED Hatters are busy casting their eyes over potential targets for next season.

With managing director Gary Sweet adamant that football is currently a ‘buyer’s market’ Town are well placed to make improvements for next term.

A number of Luton players are out of contract this summer, but Sweet believes they all want to stay and that the club will be able to pick and choose their targets.

He said: “There are a number of players out of contract. I don’t think there’s a single player that genuinely wants to leave this football club.

“Without being arrogant we have the pick of whatever we want there.

“Clearly there’s going to be some changes but Gary’s (Brabin) working on that and thinking on that and who he wants to bring in.

“It’s a buyer’s market out there at the moment as far as football is concerned.

“We’ve built up a good relationship with the players we’ve had. None of the players who are out of contract are particularly secure.”

But Town are also looking to cast their net further than just the players who are out of contract at Kenilworth Road and are busy eyeing up developments at other clubs as they draw up their list of targets.

Sweet added: “We are a progressive club and want to move on.

“That’s something that’s always being monitored. We’ve got quite a good network of people.

“To say we know who we want to bring in would be juvenile when we know other clubs are releasing what they are planning this week.

“We have our eye on a few people.

“Gary certainly knows what type of players and what positions he needs.”

LUTON Pakistanis are top of the Premier Division table as they saw off Luton Haiderys on Tuesday night.

With Haiderys beating Pakistanis to the title and in the cup final last season, Pakistanis were in determined mood, making 107-8 with Haroon top scoring with 24, while Rizwan (3-13) bowled well.

In reply, Haiderys were cruising with openers Hasan (39) and Jibran (30) starting well, but Tasir Hussain took 2-20 as they made 102-6.

AKCC suffered their first defeat as they lost to Luton Hawks.

Hawks posted 124-4 with Zabid Karim (55) and Naeem Khan (34) involved in a century opening partnership, while AKCC fell short on 115-6.

Luton Cricketers lost their fourth consecutive match as they were beaten by Lions CC who made 135-6. Although Cricketers put up a good fight, they fell just short, dismissed for 126.

Kashmir Cavaliers smashed an enormous 164-7 against bottom side Luton CC thanks to Owais Raja’s unbeaten 73, before Luton CC were skittled for just 108.

Kingsway CC remain top of Division One as they beat The Saracens by seven runs.

Kingsway made 111-4 thanks to Assad Hussain (39) and Atif Ali (44). Although Saracens started off steadily with Rahoof (36) and Haji Rizwan (16), they could only reach 104-3.

Luton Saracens remain second as they posted 114-7 against Tigers thanks to Sagir’s 24. A fine bowling performance restricted Tigers to 94-8 with Sagir (4-17) completing a terrific all-round display.

Luton Majestics thrashed Shaheen CC who, despite 30 from opener Waqas Mahmood, were bowled out for just 74 after they were ripped apart by Asif Mustufa (5-19) and Razq Iqbal (3-7).

In reply, Assad Rashid (30) saw his side home in an eight wicket win.

Challney CC are still seeking their first win, despite restricting Luton United Stars to 107-6 as Watif hit 25, while Arshad claimed 4-11.

Challney lost early wickets to Hameed (4-17), and despite Asif’s 28, they could only reach 87-7.

SIGNING Gary Brabin as Town’s permanent manager should just be a ‘formality’ according to managing director Gary Sweet, writes Mark Wood.

Both parties have had some time out and taken stock following Hatters’ penalty shoot-out play-off final defeat to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

But Sweet is confident that Brabin will be at the helm next term despite Luton’s heartbreaking loss at Eastlands.

He said: “Everybody was deeply emotional after that.

“We will brush ourselves down.

“When I went into the office on Monday it was the start of something new not the end of something old.

“The whole club believes that now. We are focusing on 2011-12.

“One thing I’ve learned is you can’t discuss serious terms in contracts and commitments to each other when you are in an emotional state.”

The Town supremo believes the fact that neither side has made any kneejerk reaction speaks volumes about the positive relationship that exists between both them.

Sweet added: “It’s imperative we’ve given each other a couple of days to wind down and think a bit more logically.

“That’s not to say there’s any second thoughts from our point of view.

“I want Gary Brabin to be our manager and Gary Brabin wants to stay at Luton.

“He is not a greedy fellow. We may well be willing to offer more than he would expect.

“When we offer something to Gary we know he has made that commitment and he knows he has made that commitment.

“Knowing we’ve left it a couple of days means we feel comfortable with each other.

“It’s a great relationship.”

BEDFORDSHIRE are waiting for a late fitness check on Rob Keogh before finalising their side to take on Dorset in the MCCA Trophy at Dunstable Town’s Lancot Park ground at Totternhoe on Sunday.

The Dunstable-born all-rounder, who is now on the Northamptonshire staff, is struggling with a back injury but is hoping to be fit.

Keogh scored 78 in Beds’ remarkable win over Oxfordshire two weeks ago which kept alive their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the competition.

He also bowled eight overs of spin and if he isn’t fit for Sunday’s game, Beds will bring in Ampthill off-spinner Chris Esh instead of another batsman.

If Keogh recovers, Beds will make just one change with former Bedford Modern School batsman George Thurstance, who missed the win at Banbury because he was required by Cardiff University, coming in for Oliver Swann.

Teenage all-rounder George Bacon has again been picked by Nottinghamshire’s second XI so Martin Weightman keeps his place.

Dorset are currently bottom of the group so Beds will be looking for another win which would put them in the box seat to qualify along with leaders Herefordshire, their opponents in the final round of fixtures a week on Sunday.

At the moment Beds have one win under their belts, the same as Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire, who meet at North Mymms on Sunday.

The game at Dunstable starts at 11am and the selected Beds side is Ollie Clayson, Keogh, Dan Simpson, Steve Stubbings, Thurstance, Andy Reynoldson, George Arblaster, Weightman, Colin Griggs, Andy McGarry and Will Sneath.

BEDFORDSHIRE Police recorded 210 sex offences against children including rape, incest and gross indecency –in 2009-10.

Most reports concerned children aged 12-15 years old. However, six victims in the region were pre-school age and 35 were aged 11 or under. The figures show, for the first time, the number of young people accused of committing child sex offences. Nearly 16 of known suspects in these cases were under 18.

Across England and Wales girls continue to be around six times more likely to be sexually assaulted than boys, with over 20,000 (86%) female victims recorded.

The NSPCC used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain this data from all 43 police forces in England and Wales - for the third year running. The figures show a rise in the number of recorded offences across England and Wales from 20,698 in 2007-08 to 21,618 in 2008-09 and 23,390 in 2009-10.4

Home Office figures give no clear picture of how many sex offences are committed every year against children, their ages, gender or whether someone was convicted.5

The NSPCC believes this data helps show which children are at most risk and from whom and should allow local authorities and the UK Government to find better ways to protect children.

Dan Russell NSPCC regional head of service for Bedfordshire said: “Thousands of people come forward every year to report sex crimes against children. But many victims are too young to ask for help. Others are too scared to tell anyone about their suffering until years later.

“The rise in recorded sex offences against children is a real concern and we need to find ways to help victims and change the behaviour of young offenders.

“It’s clear we need more services that address the harmful sexual behaviour of young people, as well as adult offenders.

“This year the NSPCC is launching two UK-wide programmes to help prevent young people from sexually harming others. A third programme will test different therapies for helping children recover from sex abuse.

“We urge everyone to be vigilant and report any concerns they have about a child.”

Luton International Carnival 2011 is nearly here, and our dedicated council website is the place to go for all you need to know about this year’s event.

The Carnival is taking place on bank holiday Monday, May 30, starting at Wardown Park.

Simply click on the LUTON CARNIVAL 2011 link to the right of this story for all the details about the carnival acts, details of all the sound stages and a map of the route.

There is also plenty of information about this year’s sponsors which include the Herald&Post, the Luton News, Heart FM, the University of Bedfordshire and Diverse FM.

To get you in the mood for 2011’s extravaganza, the website also features photos and videos from last year’s event so you can re-live the fun.

A LARGE police presence is in place at Luton Town Hall as Luton Borough Council prepares to welcome a delegation of MPs from across Europe for anti-extremism talks.

East of England MEP Richard Howitt says a bid by the English Defence League (EDL) to hijack the meeting will not derail the discussions. Members of the EDL are currently gathering at the Duke of Clarence pub, opposite the main entrance to the Town Hall.

Mr Howitt will be joined by other members of the European Parliament to discuss racism and extremism, as part of his campaigning against far right groups across Europe.

But the EDL says it is angry at the politician’s criticism of their organisation.

EDL leader Tommy Robinson says he plans to try to enter the meeting to put questions to Mr Howitt.

He said: “I want to get in and talk to him. Are they going to talk about militant Islam? They need to wake up and not be afraid to talk about the real problem.

“The EDL hasn’t got a stall outside Don Miller’s in the town centre every week. We’re not the ones they need to stop.

“It’s just a political stunt by Richard Howitt so he can say that he’s stopped racism.”

Mr Howitt says the MEPs, from five European countries, have “hands-on” experience in tackling extremism, and that the aim of the visit is to show that Luton is a “centre of excellence” for combating racism and extremism.

During the visit they will speak with faith leaders, councillors, trade unionists, Unite Against Fascism, Searchlight and join with the Luton Town FC Managing Director and players.

Commenting on the possibility of an EDL protest during today’s event, he said: “The demonstration against me is a typical example of the EDL shouting and screaming from the sidelines and causing upset and fear while ordinary people just want to get on with living peacefully and happily in Luton.

“My European MEP colleagues were saddened to see people from France, Germany and Denmark joining the ranks of the EDL march in Luton earlier this year.

“The significance of the EDL spreads far beyond the UK’s shores which is why we need a Europe-wide response and I think the EDL must be running scared if they feel they need to hold a protest on Thursday.

“Luton is resilient and Lutonians won’t let racists and extremists dictate to them. I am confident threats and intimidation by the EDL aimed at stirring up panic, racial hatred and fear will never succeed in dividing Luton.”

A CHORUS of boos and chants greeted Euro MP Richard Howitt as he arrived at Luton Town Hall for extremism talks this afternoon.

A large group of English Defence League members had gathered at the Duke of Clarence pub after EDL leader Tommy Robinson accused the MEP of failing to tackle Islamic extremism.

With Mr Howitt were MEPs from five other European countries who have experienced far right extremism in their own countries.

Before the group arrived, EDL members emerged from the pub and lined the pavement, holding placards and chanting slogans including ‘Muslim bombers off our streets’ and ‘No surrender to the Taliban’.

Emerging from the meeting to more booing, Mr Howitt said: “Not only are the EDL unrepresentative, they seek to prey upon the insecurities of normal people who are worried about their jobs and homes.”

LUTON’S council chiefs were left tongue-tied after a delegation of Euro MPs were barracked by dozens of English Defence League members outside the Town Hall.

MEPs from Austria, the Netherlands, Hungary and Slovakia arrived at the building for anti-extremism talks to booing and shouts of ‘scum’ from the EDL members, who had gathered at the Duke of Clarence pub opposite.

Approached outside the Town Hall for their views, Luton Borough Council chief executive Trevor Holden and its Labour leader Hazel Simmons refused to comment.

Questions from Luton Today were met with silence from the pair before a press officer stepped in to say that the meeting was a private affair arranged by East of England MEP Richard Howitt and not something the council was involved with, despite the fact its Luton in Harmony initiative was one of the subjects being discussed.

Pressed for comment, a grim-faced Councillor Simmons said she would be happy to give her views “later”.

LUTON’S indoor market has said goodbye to two of its best known stalls, after they struggled to compete with the large chains in the neighbouring Mall.

The Central Cafe and pet shop, Pet Things, both closed recently.

And market manager Steve Cook believes since the refurbishment of the shopping centre, the market has lost trade.

But Brian McFarland, manager of the Mall, believes that the recent transition has had a positive impact.

Mr McFarland said: “People travel to major brand names and as a result more people are bringing their business to Luton.

“Although, the larger stores have made the market business change the way they trade, they can no longer compete on price so now they have to be unique to obtain business.

“I’m sorry to hear about Pet Things closing.”

Footfall in the centre has seen a six per cent increase last week to the corresponding week last year.

M&S has seen profits rise since it moved from George Street into the Mall. Store manager, Tom Stainsby said: “It’s sad to see the smaller businesses struggling but I believe that a store like Marks and Spencer contributes to the town centre by bringing in people and the smaller businesses benefit from that.”

But Mr Cook disagrees.

He said: “It’s clear that the small businesses are finding it harder than the big businesses.

“Since the refurbishment it seems that people stay up that end of the shopping centre more and the likes of Poundland and TK Maxx draw the crowd.

“With bigger chain stores it’s much harder for us to make a go of it.

“I wouldn’t say it is just the big stores’ fault but it doesn’t help during a time of recession because all the little things add up to a big thing.”