«Breaking News» Blood donor sessions in Kent ports axed over fears of Brexit

The NHS has cancelled blood donation sessions in Kent around Brexit amid fears the local transport system could grind to a halt.

Sessions in Dover and Folkestone have been cut for the two weeks before March 29 and the six weeks afterwards.  

The move by the NHS Blood and Transport (NHSBT) has been branded 'ridiculous and irresponsible' by Dover's Tory MP.

Yet Labour representatives have claimed it is an 'absolute disgrace' on behalf of the Government and argue the 'reckless behaviour could cost lives'.

A Government exercise trialed the use of Manston airfield in Kent (pictured) as a holding centre for trucks queuing to reach Dover in the event of disruption

Mike Stredder, director of blood donation for NHSBT, said the cancellation would have 'no effect on blood stocks or on our ability to supply hospitals'.

He added that six sessions had been cancelled, out of around 2,700 countrywide in the same period. Replacement sessions are set to be held.

Fears have been raised in recent months over the impact on Kent of a no-deal Brexit.

The Government has been preparing for heavy queues at ports and the Channel Tunnel if customs checks have to be re-introduced.

Mr Stredder said: 'We have taken the decision to cancel donation sessions in Dover and Folkestone for a two-week period before and for six weeks after Britain's exit from the EU.

'This is because in the event of issues at Calais and other freight ports, Operation Stack may be put in place by Highways England and the Kent Police.

'This could lead to significant traffic in Kent and may prevent donation teams from reaching venues in the area or a donation leaving.'

Earlier this month, a leaked report suggested delays of as little as 70 seconds per truck at Dover could cause traffic jams which would take six days to clear.

Mike Stredder, director of blood donation for NHSBT, confirmed that six sessions had been cancelled, out of around 2,700 countrywide in the same period, with 'no effect on blood stocks or on our ability to supply hospitals'

Dover's Tory MP Charlie Elphicke criticised the NHS move. He said: 'Both the ports of Dover and Calais have said they will keep traffic flowing'

FEARS OVER TRAFFIC IMPACT ON KENT AFTER BREXIT 

There are concerns cross-channel traffic will build up in Kent after Britain leaves the European Union in March.

Dover and the surrounding areas are expected to suffer because of the Dover to Calais freight route, which connects the UK's roads to those in Europe.

If there are delays for the thousands of  lorries trying to cross the border each day, traffic could build up and bring the county to a standstill, the local council warned last year.

A Government test-run of what gridlock might look like descended into farce last year when not all the lorries turned up to a practice event at Manston airfield, which could be used as a holding centre for queuing trucks. 

The exercise cost nearly £50,000 and haulage experts said the test was 'too little too late' and warned 89 lorries was nowhere near enough to simulate the impact of thousands. 

They follow a Government exercise to trial the use of Manston airfield in Kent as a holding centre for trucks queuing to reach Dover in the event of disruption.

However, Calais boss Jean-Marc Puissesseau has said the port had been preparing for Brexit for a year.

He added it would be ready to cope when the UK crashes out of the EU on March 29, whether there is a deal or not.

Labour's Virendra Sharma, a Best for Britain supporter, slammed the cancellation of the blood donation sessions.

He said: 'It is an absolute disgrace that the Government's no-deal contingency planning is interrupting life-saving blood donations.

'The Government's reckless behaviour could cost lives. The Prime Minister must put a stop to this madness and rule out a disastrous no-deal immediately.'

But Dover's Tory MP Charlie Elphicke criticised the NHS move.

He said: 'Both the ports of Dover and Calais have said they will keep traffic flowing. Why not see what happens first before creating worry completely unnecessarily?'

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: 'Yet again we learn of more disastrous consequences of Theresa May's hopeless mishandling of Brexit.

'It's utterly shocking that blood donations in Kent have been cancelled.

'It simply beggars belief that Tory ministers still refuse to rule out no deal, despite the devastating impact it will have on patients.'

What Brexit options could MPs vote on now May's deal has failed?

More than half a dozen Cabinet ministers are pushing for Parliament to vote on 'options' for how to proceed if Theresa May's deal fails.

Here are some of the possibilities that could be considered:

NORWAY PLUS

MPs from across parties have been mooting the idea of a Norway model.

It would effectively keep the UK in the single market, with a customs bolt-on to avoid a hard Irish border, and backers say it would keep Britain close to the EU while cutting contributions to Brussels.

However, critics say it has the drawbacks of keeping free movement, - and tightly limiting the possibilities for doing trade deals elsewhere.

The EU is also thought to have concerns about a country the UK's size joining the EEA, while other states in the group might be resistant.

SECOND REFERENDUM 

The so-called 'People's Vote' campaign has been pushing hard for another national vote, with cross-party backing.

MPs would almost certainly want to be asked to back the idea in principle. 

The Article 50 process would probably need to be extended to facilitate a referendum, but the EU seems open to that possibility.

However, the biggest problem is likely to be that even if the Commons can agree on holding a vote, they will be be completely split over the question.

Some want it to be a rerun of 2016 with Remain v Leave. Others say it should be May's deal against no deal.

There are also those who support two rounds of voting, or multiple choice. 

CANADA PLUS

Brexiteers have been demanding the UK takes a different approach this time, seeking a looser Canada-style arrangement with the EU. 

The arrangement they want would be a relatively clean break from the EU, with the ability to strike trade agreements elsewhere.

But it would fall far short of the low-friction access urged by Labour and large numbers of Tories. 

MANAGED NO DEAL

Brexiteers have been floating a 'managed' no deal which could feature in the votes.

It would involve the UK offering the EU billions of pounds to secure a transition period, even if there is no wider deal.

However, there is little sign that the EU is ready to agree. 

 

Link hienalouca.com This is interesting We are looking for an investor for a project to grow dinosaurs from chicken eggs and relict plants. Necessary amount of investments from 400 000 to 900 000 dollars. For all interested parties, e-mail angocman@gmail.com. This will be very interesting.

https://hienalouca.com/2019/01/29/blood-donor-sessions-in-kent-ports-axed-over-fears-of-brexit/
Main photo article The NHS has cancelled blood donation sessions in Kent around Brexit amid fears the local transport system could grind to a halt.
Sessions in Dover and Folkestone have been cut for the two weeks before March 29 and the six weeks afterwards.  
The move by the NHS Blood and Transport (NHSBT) has b...

It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.

Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.

Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/01/29/16/wire-9138814-1548780657-9_634x367.jpg