It comes as no surprise but a meeting of PSOE members in Ronda has confirmed Antonio Marín as its candidate for mayor at this May’s local polls. Marín heads the socialist list and so is almost certain to be elected to the council. However it remains to be seen whether PSOE commands enough councillors for him to be mayor again.
Marín is a controversial character who is a two term mayor but was previously elected for the Partido Andalucista. He abandoned the party along with his fellow PA councillors who have all joined PSOE but sit as non-aligned. Their actions have been condemned by the commission that adjudicates on political turncoats. The PA was the largest party after the last election but Marin’s and his councillors switch left the voters who voted for them with no representatives at the town hall.
HOSPITAL PATIENTS TO BE TAGGED
Ronda hospital, which serves the Serranía and also parts of the Sierra de Cádiz, has installed a new system to improve the identification of the patients in its care. They will be given an individual wrist identification tag which officials say will make the patients more easily identifiable to staff and hence eliminate the risk of the wrong care or medication being given.
The implementation of this identification system is part of the Strategic Security Plan for patients that has been drawn up with the Andalucía Ministry of Health. As soon as a patient is taken in to the hospital a bracelet will be issued and it will bear all the administrative data so eliminating confusion.
Every time a patient registers with admissions as the identification tag is issued his or her identity will be verified. Again before they receive any treatment, surgery or medication a double check will be carried out to ensure it is for the correct person.
The introduction of the system is across the board from patients who enter via casualty, who go in to hospital on a booking basis as well as those who receive treatment on a day basis. Every person will be identified with a tag.
The identification bracelets are made from non-allergic materials, are strong and resistant to heat and humidity. They are also comfortable and will not cut in to or mark the user. The patient information is in coded form printed indelibly and resistant to abrasions and water.
TOBACCO RAID
Guardia Civil from Gaucín have arrested a man on the suspicion he broke in to a tobacconist in the neighbouring village of Genalguacil. Officers were alerted when the owner of the establishment reported that the rear door had been forced and 200 euros in cash plus 2,800 euros worth of cigarettes had been stolen. Enquiries led to the arrest of a Genalguacil resident.
ROAD DAMAGE
Over 100 residents of the calle Antonio Ordóñez – known locally as the calle Larga - in Ronda are up in arms. The road surface has recently been renewed which should have brought a smile to their faces. Instead they have protested to the town hall as they say it has damaged their doors, left gullies and has caused water to enter their houses.
PLANNING OFFICE
The town planning office in Ronda has a new home. It has been located on the third floor of the town hall. Now it’s moving to round the corner and from January 27 will be located in what was the former court house. The building has been extensively restored at the cost of 900,000 euros and has 1,200 square metres of office space.
