Implementation - albeit belatedly - of the Disability Discrimination Act and Tynwald’s approval of the island’s first mental health strategy show the government’s commitment to protecting the vulnerable, says Chief Minister Allan Bell.

Mr Bell described the phased introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act as a ‘major step forward’.

He said it was ‘regrettable’ that it has taken nearly 10 years for it to be brought into play, but added: ‘Now we’re moving forward and moving forward rapidly.’

He said further equality legislation will be introduced into the branches of Tynwald early in the new year.

The Same Sex Marriage Bill will be before the House of Keys in January while the Equality Bill is likely to start its life in the Legislative Council.

Mr Bell said the Same Sex Marriage Bill is likely to get Royal Assent before the start of summer.

Time may run out for the Equality Bill to complete its passage, but if that’s the case the next government can ‘pick it up and run with it’, he said.

Staff at the hospital should wear nothing below their elbows.

The Bare Below the Elbows ‘It’s not just for Christmas’ Campaign has been launched at Noble’s Hospital.

Ralph Peake MHK, who’s a member of the department, officially launched the campaign while visiting Ward 6.

Mr Peake said hand hygiene was the most important measure in the prevention of healthcare-associated infection.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that long sleeves, stoned rings and wrist watches must be avoided as they can be contaminated with pathogens and can impede appropriate hand hygiene.

Margaret Knight, lead nurse, infection prevention and control said: ‘The Bare Below the Elbows principle facilitates good hand hygiene practice and ensures staff are ready to wash their hands properly.’

The new policy means that staff are expected to be bare from their elbows to their fingertips. It applies to all staff in the DHSC who visit the hospital whether on a ward or in an outpatients department.

Senior nurses and ‘patient experience representatives’ have been working in partnership to educate and support front line staff in the smooth implementation of Bare Below the Elbows.

Medical director Dr Jugnu Mahajan said: ‘It is encouraging to know that the ’Bare Below the Elbows’ principles are already embedded in practice by certain groups of healthcare staff’.

Norman Kneen, on behalf of the patient experience and quality committee, said: ‘It is another initiative that should give assurance to patients that the hospital will take every possible step to prevent the risk of healthcare-associated infection.’

Mr Kneen also said that the committee had been very impressed with the enthusiasm and diligence of the Department of Health and Social Care Infection Prevention and Control Team over the past few years.

The public is being asked for views on regulations making it an offence, punishable with a fixed penalty of up to £50, to smoke in private vehicles where people 16 or under are present.

The regulations – brought under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2006 – will go before Tynwald in February.

The measures are aimed at protecting young people from the effects of second-hand smoke.

Hard copies can be obtained from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

Responses should be sent to Ian Mansell, Environment, Safety and Health Directorate, Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s IM4 3AS.

ehenquiries@gov.im

The deadline is January 15.

The Department of Health and Social Care has already consulted the public over the principles behind reducing young people’s exposure to tobacco smoke.

The 2006 Act requires further consultation over specific regulations.

The consultation can be found at www.gov.im/consultations.gov

The Isle of Man Children’s University is to be scrapped because of government cuts.It It was launched in 2012 and formed part of the international organisation that has 90 local learning centres.

The initiative saw children aged five to 14 collect stamps in passports for attending extra-curricular activities – both in school and at accredited learning destinations in their leisure time.

Education Minister Tim Crookall MLC said the 2016 graduation would go ahead and all children signed up to Children’s University will receive a certificate if they have accumulated the required hours. For children who have not completed the number of hours required for a certificate, the department will refund the £2 cost of the passport.

‘Given the pressures on our budget and when weighed against front-line services, this is a “nice to have” that we must regrettably relinquish. The department continues to ensure priority is given to front-line services for children and young people,’ the Minister said.

‘Children in the Isle of Man still have a huge number of extra-curricular activities available to them, delivered by schools, the youth service, the sports development unit and Manx Arts Development as well as external bodies.

‘Recently the Department of Education and Children has embarked on a new and exciting programme, “Families and Schools Together” (FAST). This is a collaborative, early intervention programme that empowers parents to support their children with confidence. The programme aims to strengthen the role of the parent, increase parental involvement in their child’s education, reduce family conflict and stress and help the child succeed in school.

‘FAST focuses on children between three and eight, but the whole family is encouraged to attend FAST sessions. The programme runs after school once a week for eight weeks and each session last 2.5 hours. After the eight weeks, parents continue to meet as a group for the next 22 months.

‘Willaston School has successfully implemented the programme, with excellent feedback from all parents who participated. Currently Ballasalla, Scoill-yn-Jubilee and Bunscoill Rhumsaa are taking part in the programme. It will be rolled out to all primary schools.’

An accident involving three vehicles caused a road closure this afternoon near Fisher’s Hill.

Shore Road, Gansey, was closed between Ballakaighan Road and Kentraugh Back Road while emergency services attended the scene.

Police said that there were no serious injuries.

Former Colby resident Jason Evans is one of the select few performing in The Philharmonia Orchestra’s Christmas e-card in a rendition of: ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’.

Jason, who was brought up in Colby where his parents Lorna and Rodney still live, went to Arbory School and began at Chetham’s School of Music at the age of 10.

> VIDEO: Watch the Christmas e-card performance by clicking this link

Since leaving there, his career has blossomed.

He has travelled the world with major orchestras and is now principal trumpet of the Philharmonia Orchestra, at 23 he is one of the youngest in the UK - possibly the world – to hold such a position.

He is also Associate Professor of Trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music and, from September this year, he was also appointed Professor at the Royal College of Music.

He is currently performing in The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, London.

Sulby Methodist Church will be staging its popular Christmas Eve family carol service on Thursday at 5pm.

Fruit punch is served on arrival, with mincepies and cake afterwards.

Organisers advise an early arrival as the congregation last year exceeded 150.

Everyone is welcome.

An application to remove Castletown’s landmark building Lorne House from the protected buildings register has been made by owner Roy Tilleard.

Although Mr Tilleard has no problem with the house itself being registered, he objects to the registration including all the land.

The application, made by Cornerstone Architects on behalf of Mr Tilleard, states: ‘There is significant concern that the registration proposes to include the kitchen garden and the field adjacent to the property.’

An archaeological exploration of the field was issued to Manx National Heritage (MNH), which confirmed ‘that they have no ínterest in the property’.

As a consequence, the registration of the fields and kitchen garden ‘are STRONGLY objected to by the owner’.

Last week, the town’s commissioners agreed the house should be registered.

Commissioners’ chairman Alwyn Collister asked: ‘Are we in favour of some of the land [being used] for future development? There are seven acres, that’s quite a big area. We are looking for sites [to develop for housing] at the moment.’ 
Andrew Thomas said: ‘Normally with a house of this historic value the gardens would be preserved.’
David Parnell said: ‘There are people better placed in government to make a decision on that.’

The authority agreed to make no comment at this stage.

Several new measures have been implemented following the inquiry into the Glasgow refuse vehicle crash, Ramsey commissioners learned.

On December 22, 2014, a lorry collided with pedestrians in the Scottish city, killing six and injuring 15 others. The driver of the council-owned vehicle, Harry Clarke, said he had passed out at the wheel.

Chief technical officer Steve Harrison told the board that they had already implemented basic training for all refuse crew regarding braking mechanisms and emergency measures, should a driver fall ill at the wheel.

In addition, refuse collections are carried out at non-peak times in areas where there may be numbers of pedestrians, for example Parliament Street, where refuse collection is carried out during early mornings to prevent interaction with pedestrians when shops are open, particularly when reversing procedures are involved.

Mr Harrison also said that Dennis Eagle, manufacturers of refuse collection vehicles, had confirmed that, as a result of an exceptional number of enquiries, they would be issuing a guidance statement for all operators of their vehicles.

Zachary Elliot’s passion for geography won him a trip to Iceland and the accolade of being named Outstanding Geography Student by Discover the World and the Geographical Association.

The 14-year-old, who has just returned from the five-day Iceland adventure, won the prize and award after writing an essay on: ‘How has volcanic activity shaped Iceland’s landscape?’

He said he chose this out of six essay subjects because, ‘I was interested in how plate tectonics shaped the country.’

Judges chose his essay because the style is ‘sharp, succinct and answers the question from the outset. The essay creates very clear pictures of the different physical and human landscapes that exist and the reasoning behind their formation and appearances today. The essay has had to marshal a considerable amount of information into a sequence that flows very well.’

It was, Zachary said, ‘a big surprise’ to win the national competition, and the first time Castle Rushen High School has taken part.

The idea of the competition is to inspire young geographers and the Iceland trip certainly did that.

He said: ‘It was an opportunity to explore my passion even further. The highlight was a glacier hike, the Northern Lights and we saw them when we were in the Blue Lagoon, which was absolutely incredible. It was even more impressive than I thought it would be.’

He wrote very eloquently about the trip - which he made with geography teachers Emma Metcalfe, Tom Kelly and students Caitlin Gelding and Thomas Young, both 14 - in an essay for the organisations behind the award.

He said: ‘As a young geographer, this remarkable trip has inspired me to further my studies in this field and has encouraged me to search for a career linked with this subject.

‘I encourage all young aspiring geographers to enter this award to be inspired by the wonders that our planet holds.’

He thanked organisers for this ‘once in a lifetime experience.’

A politician has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Today’s Isle of Man Examiner has more details.

Also on page one, we report on a dog on death row.

A court has been spending a lot of time deciding its future. The lawyer representing the dog’s owner is working free of charge.

The paper has a lot more information.

Also this week:

Lord Street plan unveiled soon

New governor announced

Man fled custody in handcuffs

Twelve-page Christmas TV guide

Government fat cats? It’s a myth says Bell

Santa’s drink drive ban

The Examiner is in the shops now.

We have deliberately not allowed contributors to make comments on this story for legal reasons.

Russ Mountford, who had a best TT finish of fifth in the 2012 Supertwins together with a third in the F1 Classic TT last year, announced his retirement yesterday.

He suffered a badly smashed pelvis in a crash during his Macau GP debut last month.

The government has issued guidance on cooking Christmas meals.

The advice about cooking poultry has come from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

Ralph Peake MHK, the politician at DEFA with responsibility for environment, safety and health, said: ‘Every year, illness occurs after people eat poultry containing food poisoning organisms such as campylobacter and salmonella. The risks to health can be dramatically reduced provided some simple rules are followed.’

Advice on the storage, preparation and cooking of poultry, including a guide to thawing/cooking times, can be found at www.gov.im/cookingpoultry

It includes:

Storage:

Frozen birds should be kept in a freezer until ready for thawing.

Fresh poultry should be kept in a covered container in a refrigerator. It is important that the surface of birds doesn’t come into contact with other foods when stored.

Preparation:

Frozen birds must be thoroughly defrosted (preferably in a refrigerator), prior to cooking.

Remove giblets before cooking. Frozen giblets should not be used until thoroughly thawed.

Beware of the liquid that gathers on thawing, which can contain bacteria. Carefully dispose of it down the drain and wash the sink before further use.

Cook as soon as possible after thawing or, if a fresh bird, immediately after taking out of the refrigerator.

Wash all working surfaces and utensils thoroughly with a detergent/steriliser before preparing other food. Then wash hands thoroughly.

Cooking:

It is essential that the meat is thoroughly cooked until the internal juices run clear. Extra cooking time or a higher oven temperature is required when foil is used to cover the bird.

After cooking:

Serve immediately or cool as quickly as possible in a cool room. After cooling, store in a refrigerator.

Ensure cooked poultry does not come into contact with any possible source of contamination (eg, raw vegetables, raw meat).

Avoid re-heating.

Anyone with queries over any aspect of food safety should contact 685894 or email ehenquiries@gov.im

Claims about ‘fat cat’ civil servants are misplaced, the Chief Minister has insisted.

Allan Bell was responding to comments made in Tynwald last week about the growth in the number of high earners in government.

The issue was raised by backbench Michael MHK Alfred Cannan.

The court heard that the 759 government staff earned above £50,000 a year in 2011 but by March this year that figure had grown to 813. Mr Bell pointed out there had been pay increases of about 1-2 per cent each year to most staff groups, as well as increases based on incremental progression through the grades.

But Mr Cannan asked the Chief Minister if he was surprised that there were 16 more people earning more than £200,000 between 2011 and 2015, nine more earning over £175,000, 10 more people earning over £100,000 and six more people over £75,000.

He said: ‘I am interested to know why we have 25 more people earning more than £175,000 and where exactly those individuals have come from.’

Mr Bell told the Examiner that of the 22 earning over £200,000 in March 2015, 21 were medical professionals – and nearly every single one a consultants at the hospital. Of the 36 earning £150,000 to £200,000, 30 are medical staff.

He said: ‘Nearly all government high earners are medical professionals. This should put in context the fallacious statements about these all being fat cat civil servants earning huge sums of money.

‘Nearly all are in fact medical professionals. Consultants are in short supply and we have to be competitive in the salaries we pay.’

Mr Bell said without specialist staff to reduce waiting lists, patients would have to be flown to Liverpool for off-island treatment – at even greater cost.

‘The debate needs to be calmed down and put into context,’ he insisted.

Figures for staff remuneration, listed in the latest government annual accounts, shows that one person received between £300,000 and £324,999 as at the end of March this year. One received between £275,000 and £299,999, two received between £250,000 and £274,999, four pocketed between £225,000 and £249,999 and 14 received between £200,000 and £224,999. Those figures include compensation payments under early retirement packages.

But Mr Cannan said: ‘I just cannot accept we are employing 25 more staff on salaries above £175k than we did in 2011 without a clear understanding of the reasons behind the increase. I find it hard to believe this is all down to the Health Service and so I have asked the Cabinet Office for an assessment of the departments and boards that have increased staff at these levels.’

Isle of Man Examiner, in conjunction with Duke Video, is offering readers a fantastic opportunity to win a compilation box set of DVDs from the World Rally Championship, covering the years 2000 to 2009.

The recommended price for the box set is £79.99, but Duke Marketing is currently running an offer to purchase one at £69.99 until January 31, 2016.

The first runner-up will receive a copy of the 2015 WRC review.

Rallying is part of the national make-up of the Isle of Man. It is almost impossible to imagine island life without the familiar adrenaline-rush of the Castletown stage of Rally Isle of Man.

So it is no surprise that local motorsport video specialists Duke Video have always featured rallying prominently in their line-up of annual reviews.

The latest addition to their catalogue is actually a step back in time. This big box set features 10 official WRC reviews covering the first decade of this century. Local fans will be pleased to see Colin McRae and Richard Burns, former Rally Isle of Man stars, to the fore - especially in that memorable final round at Wales Rally GB in 2001.

There is plenty to keep devotees of rallying gripped, legends like Gronholm, Sainz, Solberg and Makinen putting their (now classic) cars through hell in search of vital seconds. There’s all the usual excitement and drama that you’d expect from Monte Carlo, Tour de Corse, Rally Argentina and more, and it just keeps coming - for 27 hours in total.

Of course, no review of rallying in the 21st century rallying would be complete without ample mention of Sebastien Loeb and, love him or loathe him, it is impossible to deny the skill and commitment the Frenchman brought to his sport, or the huge levels of achievement.

With Sebastian Ogier now dominating in similar fashion, it is interesting to look back at these reviews and assess Loeb’s legacy with the benefit of hindsight.

To stand a chance of winning a free 2000-2009 WRC box set edition answer this question: How many World Rally Championships did Richard Burns and Colin McRae win between them?

Answers to: Sports Desk, Isle of Man Newspapers, European House, Peel Road, Douglas (email: sportsdesk@newsiom.co.im) to arrive no later than Wednesday, December 30.

l The 2000-2009 WRC box set and the 2015 WRC review editions are in stock now. Locals can phone 640000 and arrange to collect it before December 24. www.dukevideo.com/WRC/

If you are getting married and planning your big day, then visiting our Wedding Expo 2016 is an absolute must.

We know that planning your wedding can be a daunting task with so much to think about and do. To help ensure your wedding day dreams come true we’ve brought together a unique mix of local leading wedding experts to help you make those important decisions.

Our fabulous venue, the Village Urban Resort Blackpool, offers an ideal setting for celebrating your special day. Whatever type of day you’re looking for, whether it's a fairytale wedding with a lavish reception, an intimate celebration with your closest friends and family, or a civil partnership or commitment ceremony, they can help you create the perfect day.

At the expo you will find some fantastic businesses to help you with all your wedding day needs. Businesses exhibiting may include Bridal Houses showcasing the latest bridal trends, Menswear, Photographers, Venue Dressers, Cakes, Entertainment, Wedding Cars, Jewellery and much, much more!

The event will be open from 11am to 3pm on Sunday February 21st and every visitor will receive a free copy of the latest Lancashire Brides glossy magazine:

For more information call the Johnston Press North West Events team on 01253 361893/361844/361713.

If you are planning to get away for a fabulous holiday, then you will certainly find inspiration at  The Travel and Leisure Show 2016, organised by The Lancashire Evening Post and The Blackpool Gazette.

The travel and leisure exhibition will take place at The De Vere Village Urban Resort, Heron’s Reach, Blackpool on Sunday January 31st 2016, 11am-4pm, and will provide you with an eclectic mix of holiday ideas, destinations, staycations, days out, and much more.

A diverse array of exhibitors will be present to make sure you are spoilt for choice and have expert advice directly to hand.

Family holidays abroad, exotic cruises, fascinating coach trips, flights, entertaining days out, camping holidays and more will be at the show giving you every reason to be adventurous and try something new – or you can stick to what you know and love!

The exhibition is open to everyone and entry is free of charge, with free car parking on the day!

Come along to the show to be in with a chance of winning some great holiday prizes and take advantage of some special exclusive deals on the day.

To be involved with this fabulous event simply remember the date and venue, De Vere Village Urban Resort, Heron’s Reach, Blackpool on Sunday January 31st 2016, 11am to 4pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you would any more information regarding this event, please call the Promotions Team on 01253 361709/361893

A bank has donated £2,000 to help Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Club, which lost thousands of pounds worth of equipment in flooding earlier this month.

Some of the club’s coaches, and the children they were instructing, had to be rescued by fire crews using inflatable boats to get them out of the gymnasium near the NSC as flood water rose to several feet on the night of December 3. Repair work – including replacing competition flooring and major equipment in the main hall – is under way but the club needs to raise funds to replace some additional damaged equipment before classes can start again.

The donation, from Permanent Bank International, will go towards buying new equipment used by six children’s groups – three for children with disabilities, and three groups for pre-school.

In total there are around 70 children who attend these groups aged from two to 13 years old.

The PBI donation will go towards buying a range of special gym equipment including small gymnastic springboards specifically designed for children.

A spokeswoman for the club said: ‘The equipment ruined in the flood cost around £5,000, so we’re very pleased to receive such a generous donation from PBI – I nearly cried when I heard the news that they were going to give the club £2,000.

‘It will go to the disability and pre-school section of the club and towards the cost of buying new equipment to create a sensory corner for children with additional needs. For the pre-school group we want to buy craft items, and some costumes to tie-in with themed sessions. For example, we will have some classes with a space theme, so we will get some astronaut costumes which will be a lot of fun for the children.”

Mark Kennett, manager of banking at Permanent Bank International, said: ‘The club does excellent work providing classes for children and we were very concerned to hear news about the impact of the recent floods.

‘So we decided to make a donation to support the club’s efforts to repair the damage and allow them to resume the classes as soon as possible.’

The club has launched a disaster recovery plan and fundraising campaign to get the club up and running again.

Nativity services have been held all over the island.

To see some great photos of services in many of the island’s primary schools, see this week’s Isle of Man Examiner.

St Andrew’s United Reform Church sent us these photos of its nativity service and floral displays.

It will be holding its Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6.30pm on Thursday.

Christmas Day morning service takes place at 10.30am on Friday.

Songs of Praise Service, 11am, December 27.

Health chiefs are urging the Manx public to ‘Think Pharmacist First’ if they require treatment for what they describe as ‘less serious’ health conditions over the Christmas and New Year period.

Medication for a range of complaints is available directly from community pharmacists without having to see a GP first.

Pharmacy services are available every day of the week including holidays – even on Christmas Day - and there is no need to make an appointment.

Under the island’s minor ailments scheme a total of 16 different treatments can be supplied direct to the patient, covering 14 different conditions.

An estimated 1,500 people will use the scheme in the current year, accessing treatment straight away and relieving pressure on GP surgeries.

Patients who are normally exempt from prescription charges are also exempt under the scheme.

The minor ailments scheme started in 2008 but earlier this year an extended version was launched by the Isle of Man Pharmacy Contractors’ Association in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care.

Maria Bell, pharmaceutical adviser at the department, said: ‘An important part of the health and social care strategy for the island is to ensure that care is provided in the right place and at the right level within the community, and the minor ailments scheme is a good example of that strategy in action.

‘The scheme is easier and quicker for the patient, but it’s also better for the health service overall as it frees up GPs’ time for those patients who need their attention.’

Maria added: ‘When Thinking Pharmacist First people should also check their medicine cupboards and make sure they have what they might need over the holiday period.’

The Manx Independent includes comprehensive details of which out-of-hours pharmacies are open every week on page 2.

The next edition of the paper will be available on Christmas Eve.