News in Thurrock

BASILDON & Thurrock Hospital, which yesterday confirmed a number of wards had gone into conronavirus lockdown has today appealed for all non urgent prospective patients and visitors only to attend the hospital if absolutely necessary.

Following yesterday's announcement about a number of wards being affected by coronavirus, a statement from the hospital says: "Basildon Hospital is extremely busy today (Tuesday, 13 October) with a high number of patients who need our care, including a small but increasing number of patients suffering from COVID.

IN the latest of his occasional articles on the world of rugby - and Thurrock RFC in particular - Ralph Henderson debates the elements that make up leadership and considers the candidates for captaincy for next year's British and Irish Lions' tour to South Africa

"One of rugby's most important distinguishing characteristics is a wanderlust. It takes the form of a compulsion to take the sport on the road, to seek out those who play in neighbouring or distant or foreign or even alien environments, to encounter them on the field, to absorb their culture and, frankly, to have a memorable social outing away from the strains of normal life, safe in the rock-like communal solidarity of a rugby team." - Stephen Jones.

THURROCK Council Leader, Councillor Rob Gledhill, has criticised a request by Essex County Council's to the Secretary of State for Health that they be put into a higher local Covid-19 alert category immediately.

Their actions could have far reaching implications for Thurrock's businesses and residents, who may also be forced into the higher category of restriction because of this request despite the fact that Thurrock has the 126th lowest rate of infection out of 149 local authorities nationwide.

MYSTERY surrounds the future of two organisations set up by Thurrock Council to help regenerate the borough and build new homes.

Thurrock Regeneration Limited and Thurrock Regeneration (Housing) Limited were intended to play a lead role in developing sites in the borough that might not otherwise prove attractive to external developers.

POLICE have reported the man cut free from a crash scene that blocked the A13 for several hours yesterday (12 October) is recovering in hospital.

The man was extracted from the mangled wreckage of a car shoved underneath a HGV by another lorry in a multi vehicle collision.

ONE of Thurrock's senior councillors has pledged that the authority will not spend 'a single penny' in pursuing 'marshalls' to ensure people adhere to Covid-19 regulations.

Nor, he says, should residents in the borough be encouraged to act as spies.

ON the eve of a vital FA Cup third qualifying round tie, Aveley FC have been hit by the departure of one of their players who has quit for one of their derby rivals.

Last Monday Wyan Reid lined up for Aveley in their Isthmian North clash with neighbours Brentwood, who nicked a surprise 1-0 victory to end the Millers' unbeaten run from the start of the season.

AS the trial of four men accused of offences related to the deaths of 39 Vietnamese would-be illegal immigrants to the UK whose bodies were discovered in Thurrock entered its second week the father of one of those who died says he and his family are not seeking to place blame on anyone.

20-year-old Nguyen Dinh Luong was among those who died in a container being transported from Belgium to England.

NURSES at Basildon & Thurrock Hospital are stepping up to the campaign plate and demanding that they be given recognition through their pay for their work in the fight against coronavirus – but they are doing it with a smile on their face and seeking creative ways to make their point.

In August Thurrock Nub News reported on a protest march from the hospital as nurses called for parity with other members of the NHS who had been given pay increases related to the impact of Covid-19.

STAFF in the South West region of the East of England Ambulance Service, which includes Thurrock, have spoken up for their local management in the wake of a damning, service-wide report last week.

The service faces being put into special measures after a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection said it had far-reaching issues including poor leadership, "normalised" bullying and cases of sexual misconduct or predatory behaviour.