Elderly patients give
hospital the thumbs up
by John Hendon
ELDERLY patients have given Warrington Hospital a big vote of confidence.
Patients aged 65 and over who took part in a survey at the beginning of the year have given an all-round thumbs up to staff and services.
The survey, carried out by North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Warrington and Halton general hospitals, covered issues such as food and drink, cleanliness of wards and bathrooms, treatment and personal dignity.
The questionnaire was devised by the General Hospital Group for the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People.
Comments about Warrington Hospital included:
Ward Environment: “The ward cleaners were always on the go. Every little task never missed. Always ready to make a brew without a fuss.” Ward A6.
“I was very comfortable and slept better than I did at home.” Ward C23.
Food and Drink: “Could not wish for better.” Ward A5.
“I have really enjoyed most of the food I received. It was like going to a restaurant.” Ward B18.
Toilets and Bathrooms: “The bathroom facilities were extremely clean and hygienic.” Ward A2.
Information and Understanding: “Surgeons and anaesthetist explained fully about procedures, and were approachable for questions.” Ward C23.
General care and attention: “A very nice, clean, homely ward. Staff were happy and friendly and very efficient.” Ward A4
“I could see for myself just how much the staff had to do. They kept me cheerful. I felt safe in their hands.” Ward B18.
The majority of comments collated from the survey were extremely favourable to both hospitals, but some results have shown up areas that need to be addressed, including:
increasing both verbal and written information for the patient
improving on issues relating to the privacy and dignity of patients
basic care, including assistance to patients during mealtimes and the provision of hot drinks.
Anna Alexander, deputy director of nursing said: “The majority of patients were happy with their hospital experience, but there are lessons for us to learn in order to continue to improve care for all patients.
“The main impression from this survey is that the Trust treats older people appropriately and with respect most of the time. We are now looking at ways to address the issues flagged-up by the survey.”
The results come shortly after it was revealed Warrington Hospital had achieved two star status in the national hospital league tables.
Ant and Dec help student
achieve degree success
by Paul Saville
TOP entertainers Ant and Dec helped Warrington student, Toni Island to achieve a degree in Media (Television production) after she worked with them and other stars as part of her course work.
Toni, who studied at the Warrington campus of University College Chester, worked with the comedy duo on, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
During her time at University, Toni also worked with star presenter, Cat Deeley, on Stars in their Eyes ‘Kids’, where Toni was responsible for looking after the contestants. Other shows the Warrington graduate worked on included hit shows, 60 minute makeover and Record of the Year.
The Warrington student was also keen to praise the facilities and teaching staff at Warrington, saying: “The lecturers were very supportive” and that the practical side of the course was good because of “the high tech equipment available.”
Now that Toni has finished her degree, she is currently participating in work experience for Granada, in the factual department.
After rubbing shoulders with the stars for her next career move, Toni plans to move to London to pursue a career in research for a leading production company. The benefits of taking up a degree course have clearly paid dividends, and as she says: “If you put the work in you will succeed.”
MP to hold police and
pensions “surgeries”
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON South MP Helen Southworth is to hold two public advice “surgeries” in the town on Friday – to deal with police and pensions issues.
Mrs Southworth will be accompanied by Community Action Team officers at her surgery at Penketh Library between 4-5pm.
The surgery will give local people the opportunity to meet their MP and officers who deal with law and order issues in the local area.
Earlier in the day, she will be accompanied by staff from the Pension Service, the new government body set up to deal with pensioner benefits at the Golden Square Shopping Centre.
This surgery, between 12.30-1.30pm, will give local people the opportunity to meet their MP and members of the Pension Service directly to deal with any pensioner benefit issues.
No appointment is necessary to attend either session.
Mentors wanted for
under-achieving pupils
by staff reporter
AN education/business partnership is looking for volunteers to become mentors for under-achieving pupils at three Warrington high schools.
The volunteers would work on a one-to-one basis with 14-15 year-olds from William Beamont High, Orford, Padgate High or St Gregory’s RC High in Westbrook.
Organised by Education Business Plus, part of Cheshire and Warrington Business Link, the scheme would involve youngsters who, for various reasons, are not currently achieving their potential.
The mentors would aim to be role models for the pupils.
A spokeswoman for Education Business Plus said: “All that is required from a mentor is an ability to impartially relate to and effectively communicate with a young person.
“No previous experience or qualifications are needed – just a willingness to share your own experiences of life and to help someone begin to take responsibility for their own decisions through listening and discussing. The actual mentoring can take up to 45 minutes every two or three weeks. Free training is provided.”
Volunteers will have to be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau because they will be working with children.
But all applicants will be dealt with on merit and a criminal record will not necessarily bar them from becoming a mentor.
Anyone interested in mentoring or any other Education Business Plus activities should contact Ruth Speed, Education Business Plus, The Clock Tower, Winsford Shopping Centre Winsford Cheshire CW7 1AG or telephone 01606 555700.
Cemetery “surgery”
put back a month
by staff reporter
A MANAGEMENT “surgery” due to have taken place at Hollinfare Cemetery, near Warrington this Sunday, August 22, has been put back to Sunday September 19.
The event will offer an opportunity for members of the public to raise any issues, comments or enquiries they may have. It will start at 1pm and continue until 3pm.
Information will be available on a range of issues, including facilities, grave transfers, burials and memorials.
The surgery will take place at Hollinfare Cemetery, School Lane, Rixton.
Further details can be obtained from Neil Simpson on 01925 267731.
Students tune up at
summer music academy
by John Hendon
MUSIC students from Warrington Collegiate joined with more than 50 of the most promising young musicians from across the country to take part in the annual five day Summer Academy of Music at Bretton Hall, Yorkshire.
The students attended workshops and specialist lectures with top session players and producers who have worked with the likes of Sting, Elton John , Blur and Groove Armada.
Martin Appleton has been playing the bass for three and a half years and has ambitions of becoming a session player.
He said: “My week at Bretton hall has been really fun. There’s been a great atmosphere and I’ve been able to network with some talented musicians.”
Class mate Adam Jones added: “There was music going on in every corner. You walked around and could hear so many different styles of music being playe
d. All the seminars were really good. I’d never been behind a mixing desk before, so I found the sound workshops were really useful.”
Adam has been playing the guitar for six years and hopes for a career composing for film and television.
Also from Warrington were Mike Gleave, Craig Stevens and Andy Hill. All five are studying on the Contemporary Popular Music course at Warrington Collegiate Institute.
Adam added: “Mike, Craig and Andy came last year and recommended that we would enjoy the Summer Academy. I’m really glad we came – it’s been something really different and great to work along side such pros!”
Survey into work of
trades union trainers
by our correspondent
TUC Learning Services North West is breaking new ground with the first major survey into the work of Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) in Warrington and the rest ofCheshire.
ULRs are specially trained union members who are responsible for the training and development of union members in their workplaces.
The research, funded by the North West Development Agency, is being carried out by the University of Central Lancashire to find out how ULRs tackle their role and what can be done to boost their effectiveness.
Regional co-ordinator Dave Eva said: “This is the first really comprehensive attempt to get a full picture of what happens in the region.
“It will help us measure and develop the impact of ULRs on their workplaces and help identify barriers that might stop them being as effective as possible and develop new ways to support the role.”
ULRs have made a major impact in Cheshire, with more than a third of the region’s trade union members receiving training in the past three months, according to a TUC survey.
In contrast, only a quarter of employees in the area who are not union members are likely to have been given job-related training in the same period.
Dave said: “One of the major factors for trade union members receiving more training than their non-union counterparts is the work of ULRs.”
There are currently 227 ULRs in Cheshire and 7,000 across the country, with the figure set to rise to 22,000 by the end of the decade.
“This means businesses that recognise unions are more likely to have a more highly qualified and motivated workforce,” said Dave.
“Workplace learning is the road to improving businesses and raising the skills of the workforce so local companies can compete in a global economy.”
Full steam ahead at
the shopping centre
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON’s Golden Square Shopping Centre will be a model of railway fun on Saturday.
The Warrington Model Railway Club will be putting on a special display in the mall in advance of its annual exhibition on September 4 and 5 at the Woolston High School.
There will be two different layouts operated by members of the club where shoppers can watch trains in action. A third layout is a Thomas the Tank Engine theme and children and parents alike can have a go at operating the trains around the track. There will be no charge for having a go with the trains but there will be an opportunity to make a small donation to St Rocco’s Hospice.
There is also the opportunity to chat and pose questions to members of the club who will be around during the day working on models and who are always ready to talk about their passion for trains.
Warrington Model Railway Club was formed in 1966 and now has 35 members who meet once a week to build layouts to exhibition standards. The club is always open to new members.
Golden Square manager Andrew Ward said: “Not only do shoppers get a chance to see these magnificent trains and layouts in action but they also get a chance to have a go. I am aiming to be first in the queue!”
Woman unhurt after
kitchen blaze
by staff reporter
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a house in Winstanley Close, Great Sankey, Warrington in the early hours of the morning when fire broke out in the kitchen.
The occupier, an elderly woman, had fallen asleep leaving a pan on the cooker and a small fire started.
A smoke alarm failed to function because the battery had not been replaced and smoke filled the kitchen.
Fire crews used a ventilation fan to clear smoke and the woman was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up. She was not seriously harmed and was allowed back home.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “We will be calling on her today to replace the battery in her smoke alarm.”
