The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock has written to all NHS organisations, GPs, community pharmacies and other service providers.

The letter sets out what the health and care system needs to consider in the period leading up to March 2019, including:

• the continued supply of medical products in the event of no deal
• business continuity plans

The pioneering project sees HS2 Ltd partner with high-tech S.M.E., PAULEY; the National College for High Speed Rail; and Inventya. Together they will work with Old Oak Common station designers, specialist engineers WSP, to develop augmented reality (AR) training for the station’s future staff.

HS2 Ltd’s Stations Director, Mike Luddy, said:

From its earliest days Old Oak Common will be one of the UK’s busiest and best-connected stations. Serving both HS2 and the Elizabeth line (Crossrail) it is designed to handle around 275,000 passengers every day. To accommodate that number of people in a pleasant, safe and efficient environment, it’s crucial that staff know the station’s workings in detail.

The challenge is that Old Oak Common station hasn’t been built yet. So to train the station’s entirely new workforce with the skills and knowledge they will need we must innovate.

Through this project, which is supported by Innovate UK and the DfT, we’re harnessing the power of digital technology to build Old Oak Common in augmented reality.

Future staff entering an augmented reality world will be trained in delivering a great customer experience, station maintenance and safety so they can develop the skills to efficiently manage the station before ever setting foot in it.

The AR training will have spin-off benefits for developing Old Oak Common station itself. Trainees can provide feedback to its designers on their experience of running the super hub, so plans can be honed before it is built and help avoid making later and costly changes to the building itself.

PAULEY’s founder and managing director, Philip Pauley, said:

We’re only starting to harness the power of augmented reality. Few people really get what it is and what it can do. The way you might want to think about it is like that famous Star Wars scene where R2-D2 projects a 3D image of Princess Leia. That’s what AR is, except for now it’s with the addition of a high tech visor through which to see it.

The technology we’re bringing to HS2 enables the wearer to see Old Oak Common station in minute detail. It unlocks huge opportunities to explore, test and refine a digital replica of the station years before the passengers arrive.

WSP Technical Director John Harding, said:

This technology will enable us to future proof Old Oak Common station design. In future it can be used at other stations not just for training but for all staff following a refurbishment or upgrade.

National College for High Speed Rail’s CEO, Clair Mowbray, said:

The National College for High Speed Rail is delighted to be part of this collaborative project, which will support the development of training programmes for train station staff using the latest interactive technologies.

Inventya Project Manager, Andrew Kent, said:

Through the use of immersive technology, their research is set to improve the user experience of future train travellers, and we’re excited to be part of the journey.

Around 100 workers from Greater Manchester and Cheshire’s emergency services will work with Highways England’s traffic officers through the night to respond to a staged multiple-casualty incident involving an overturned coach, two HGVs, eight cars and a motorbike.

Exercise Dark Knight will be held overnight on Saturday 10 August when the motorway is already due to be closed as part of a major upgrade to add extra lanes and new technology to a nine-mile section of the M62 near Warrington (junctions 10 to 12).

While Highways England contractors work on installing new gantry bases and changing the temporary road layout near junction 10 at Eccles Interchange, around 50 volunteers will take on the role of injured drivers and passengers to help bring the staged incident to life at the other end of the major road scheme.

The glass windows, fuel and other liquids will be removed from a 57-seater coach before it is towed onto the motorway and moved onto its side by workers at Hough Green Garage in Widnes, using a mobile crane. A car transporter will also be used to get the cars and motorbike into place for the exercise.

Chris Chadwick, North West resilience co-ordinator at Highways England, said:

Our motorways are among the safest in the world and we help to keep them safe by carefully planning what we’d do on the rare occasions when there’s a major incident.

We normally have to do this away from the motorway to avoid disruption to drivers but will be able to make our latest scenario as realistic as possible by carrying out Exercise Dark Knight on the M62 when it’s already closed overnight for major construction work.

We’re working closely with the emergency services on the exercise and are grateful to the volunteers who are giving up their time to help make our motorways safer for everyone.

Around 15 members of the St Joseph’s Players amateur dramatic society in Leigh will take a break from rehearsals to take part in the exercise, painting themselves in fake blood and wounds to help make the incident as realistic as possible.

They will also be joined by volunteers from Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service and Casualties Union. Kath Roberts, who serves as a magistrate, has been a part of the St Joseph’s Players since she was a teenager. She said:

We’re one of the oldest amateur dramatic societies in the world having been established in the 1850s but I’m not aware of us being involved in anything like this before. We’ll still need to carry off our parts but it will be a slightly different experience to appearing on stage in front of an audience!

I see the consequences of road collisions when I sit as a magistrate so anything we can do to help the emergency services improve their responses to incidents is definitely worthwhile.

We’ve got a wide range of people taking part on the night, aged from 20 to 84 and it should give us a genuine feel of what could happen in real life.

The stretch of the M62 between the M6 and the M60 is used by around 120,000 vehicles every day. More than 350 people are working on the latest stage of the project which involves major construction work at the side of the motorway to install new giant overhead gantries, CCTV masts, safety barriers and lighting columns.

Jason Rain, Operational Training Delivery Manager at Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, said:

This exercise is a good opportunity for our crews to carry out imperative training for a major road traffic collision working collaborative with partner agencies.

The fire service carries out a variety of training exercises on a regular basis to ensure that our firefighters have the most up-to-date training and can work efficiently with other emergency services to achieve the best possible results.

The motorway will be closed overnight on the weekend of 10 August and 11 August. A diversion will take traffic along the M6, A556 and M56, with drivers travelling from the north of the region also being advised to consider using the M61 to reach their destinations.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

A UK commitment to provide financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency to Pakistan’s industrial Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector has been signed by the Department for International Development (DFID).

As part of DFID’s Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) programme, Karandaaz will invest over £15 million to promote renewable energy generation and efficiency measures in Pakistani businesses. The SEED programme will work with firms, businesses, and financial institutions to demonstrate the financial viability of enhancing investments in clean energy and energy efficiency improvements.

The agreement was signed between Joanna Reid, Head of DFID Pakistan and Ali Sarfraz, CEO Karandaaz Pakistan. Karandaaz Board of Directors’ Chairperson, Dr Shamshad Akhtar was also present at the occasion.

Speaking at the occasion, Joanna Reid, Head of DFID Pakistan said:

Less than 4% of Pakistan’s electricity is generated from renewable sources. We are working to change that.

I believe that this investment in sustainable energy will go a long way in promoting energy-efficient and environment-friendly options for businesses, and at the same time help to generate more jobs and achieve greater prosperity.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Chairperson Karandaaz said:

Economic and urban development is a national priority for Pakistan. With 39% of the population residing in cities, Pakistan is not only the most urbanised, but also the fastest urbanizing country in South Asia. Pakistani cities’ contribution to its GDP growth however, is much lower than in peer countries.

It has been estimated by the IFC that as much as 11%-14% of the energy utilised in Pakistan could be saved through energy conservation and efficiency measures, which is equivalent to two hours of power supply each day.

This grant from DFID will help bridge the financing gap and enable the emergence of sustainable and efficient energy for Pakistan’s private sector, resulting in more vibrant and economically friendly cities, more competitive businesses and more jobs all leading to Pakistan moving closer to its targets as set under SDGs.

Speaking at the occasion, Ali Sarfraz, CEO Karandaaz said:

Karandaaz is proud to have established itself in a short span of time as a trusted partner of DFID to implement this additional focused financing programme for sustainable energy and energy efficiency in Pakistan. We will work closely with multilateral partners to pave the way for increased investments in the sustainable energy sector. This will also promote low carbon growth.

According to a latest World Bank study, more than 75% of Pakistani firms cite energy provision as a major constraint to growth. Where available, electricity provision is costly and inefficient, lowering competitiveness of industry and services. Daily load shedding and large leakages in the distribution system mean manufacturing firms cite access to electricity amongst the top obstacles to growth.

Climate and environment are a global priority for DFID. Domestically and internationally, the UK has been leading the way on climate change. This programme is also an opportunity for Pakistan to draw on UK expertise in clean energy for greener growth.

Further information

• According to Global Competitiveness Report, energy shortage has directly impeded Pakistan’s ability to compete in international markets for Pakistan’s export sector. Widespread use of renewable energy and energy efficiency is yet to kick off. 17% of the energy utilised in Pakistan could be saved through energy conservation and efficiency measures, which according to some estimates is equivalent to two hours of power supply each day.
• A market assessment conducted by the IFC in 2014 found that potential savings range from 11%-14%. The same assessment estimated the demand for renewable energy investment across six industrial sectors at $2.2 billion. Incentives for firms and residences to switch to renewables have been initiated, but these have so far proven ineffective and the use of energy from renewable sources, excluding hydropower, is still under 4% of total energy generation as estimated by Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan.

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6th Aug marks a year since Pakistan made commitments towards disability inclusion at the UK hosted Global Disability Summit. The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP) invited government representatives and members from disabled persons organisations to review progress towards disability inclusion to ensure that the commitments are met and work is on track.

The roundtable was held at the Centre for Inclusive Development (CIDP) which was also inaugurated today as part of Pakistan’s commitment to make education inclusive for all and to invest in the necessary training skills so that no one is left behind.

The Centre was inaugurated at the National Library of Pakistan by the head of DFID, Joanna Reid. This is the first ever resource centre established to empower persons with a disability by giving them opportunities to learn better. This is an excellent initiative as the braille text and equipment alongside other facilities at the Centre will be accessible to all. CIDP will facilitate research, disability studies in the country and will serve as official repository of publications on disability inclusive development.

Addressing the event, DFID head Joanna Reid said:

Disability inclusion is a top priority for the UK in our international development work. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved over the past year and we’re gathered today to ensure that we don’t stop here.

We will not rest until every single person with a disability in Pakistan is counted, heard and included so that we leave no-one behind.

Giving the opening remarks, executive director STEP Atif Sheikh said:

We are grateful to DFID for ensuring disability inclusion in their programmes and in the overall development of the country. Global Disability Summit held in July last year played a significant role in bringing stakeholders on one table in Pakistan.

CIDP which is being inaugurated today right after one year of the summit, is a breakthrough initiative to have record of all the efforts of disability stakeholders and to conduct evidence based research for policy level decisions. We are also obliged to National Library of Pakistan for their support.

Addressing the ceremony, Secretary, Ministry of National History and Literary Heritage Nadeem Shafiq said:

Congratulations to the STEP Team & DFID on the inauguration of the Centre of Inclusive Development (CID). We will make sure that our department will help the Disabled People Organizations (DPOs) in taking practical steps in supporting the rights of persons with disabilities in Pakistan.

Pakistan was one of the priority countries at the Global Disability Summit which brought together Ministers, heads of agencies, DPOs, and a range of other stakeholders from across the world. Representatives from Pakistan presented sustainable commitments for disability inclusion – which included eliminating discrimination, ensure inclusive education, promote financial empowerment and gather better data for the empowerment and inclusion of persons with a disability.

The roundtable was held to review progress and assess the extent to which those commitments are being translated into better lives.

The roundtable was attended by senior research analyst, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), Afzan Munir, project director Centre for Education and Consciousness, Shabnum Sarfraz, Member Social Sector & Devolution Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform, Nadeem Shafiq, Telenor Pakistan Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility Abdullah Khan amongst other representatives of government, international organisations and persons with a disability.

Further information

The Charter of Demands is the legacy document of the Global Disability Summit. The Government of Pakistan signed up this Charter last year. The Minister for National Health Services and the Secretary of the Planning Commission represented the government at the Summit and committed to ensure the rights, freedoms, dignity and inclusion for all persons with disabilities. This included a commitment:

• to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities through legislation and policies that make a difference
• to support actions to advance inclusive quality education
• to create conditions for decent work and financial independence of persons with disabilities, creating more and better jobs, and providing social protection, ensuring the necessary skills training, and making workplaces accessible
• to revolutionise the availability and affordability of appropriate assistive technology
• to gather and use better data and evidence to understand and address the scale, and nature of challenges faced by persons with disabilities

Some good developments towards disability inclusion have taken place in the last year:

• There is some progress towards enacting the Pakistan Disability Act; its legal vetting is complete, but it still needs parliamentary approval.
• The government announced a policy for universal access to assistive devices disabled persons under the Ehsaas programme.
• The Supreme Court issued orders to provincial governments for effective implementation of employment quota for persons with disabilities
• The State Bank of Pakistan launched a Small Enterprise (SE) Financing and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Special Persons”
• The Prime Minister issued a directive for provision of provision of necessary infrastructure including ramps, lifts, toilets for persons with disabilities in all buildings in Islamabad Capital Territory, and in all new construction projects.

For more information:

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