Told she might die
– then woman’s op
cancelled 5 times
by David Skentelbery
A WOMAN being prepared for surgery in hospital was told she might not survive – and then had the operation cancelled five times in eight days.
This followed a four month wait to be admitted to Warrington Hospital after breaking her arm in a fall in August.
Now 69-year-old Margaret Dixon, of Penketh, near Warrington has been sent home and told she will probably have to wait until the New Year for the operation.
The problem arises due to a shortage of high dependency beds at the hospital.
Her daughter, 37-year-old Lyndsay Dixon said: “The NHS system is failing us as a family.
“My mother was told the first time she was prepared for the operation that she might not survive it.
“Every time since she has been thinking it could be her last night. The stress on her and on the family is enormous.
“The doctors and nurses are doing a wonderful job and doing their absolute best for my mum, but they cannot carry out their jobs through lack of resources.
“I blame the government for this – and Tony Blair is head of the government so he must take personal responsibility.”
Lyndsay and her dad, 69-year-old Ken Dixon, have raised the issue with their local councillor, Fiona Bruce, who is also Prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South.
She said: “Hard working doctors and nurses are unable to care for patients as they want to because of central government ring-fenced funding, time wasting targets and inappropriately directed or inadequate resources.
“Warrington has only four high dependency beds – and that just isn’t enough for a town of its size.
“This government put up National Insurance contributions for individuals and employers specifically to improve the NHS. But it isn’t working for Warrington.”
Mrs Dixon – who has had her arm in a sling since August – will need to be in a high dependency bed after her operation because she suffers from diabetes, renal failure and arthritis and has also suffered a slight stroke.
Ian Dalton, chief executive at North Cheshire Hospitals said the trust was aware it needed more high dependency beds.
He said: “We are doing more complex surgery on patients from North Cheshire and further afield and require additional facilities for these patients.”
Money was being earmarked to address the problem next year, he added.
Russian ‘invaders’ put
Geoff on the right track
by Gary Skentelbery
A NEW footpath warden in Warrington is using maps created by the Russians during the “Cold War” to patrol his patch.
The detailed maps are some of the best examples available detailing footpaths in the Poulton with Fearnhead are of the town.
Local parish councillor Geoff Settle has volunteered to take on the role to ensure paths in the area remain in a good condition.
He obtained the Russian maps from a map enthusiast and was amazed by their detail and accuracy.
“Apparently the Russians used satellite technology to draw up detailed maps of the whole country, just in case they decided to invade!
“They are very detailed and accurate and ideal for seeing the network of paths in the area,” said Geoff, who works as a software engineer for Vertex Data Science Ltd.
He will report on path conditions to the council’s Rights of Way section, with his reports logged in the Rights of Way database and the findings used to inform future work programmes etc.
Geoff, who is a keen marathon runner, added: “It’s a nice way to get fit again by running especially as my blood pressure is sky high.
“It is also an opportunity to put my Degree in Geography and Economics to good use, something I haven’t done since I planned and organised Road Races back in the late 80’s.”
Council’s licensing policy
will combat crime, disorder
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Borough Council has approved a licensing policy to run for the next three years.
The policy – a requirement of the Licensing Act – is expected to come partially into force in February and fully by next November and will transfer liquor licensing powers from magistrates’ courts to local authorities.
As a licensing authority, the council will be issuing all licences for pubs, clubs, restaurants, off-licences, supermarkets, shops, theatres, cinemas, village and community halls for both the sale of alcohol and all forms of entertainment.
All affected businesses will require a premises licence and people wishing to sell alcohol will need a personal licence.
Coun Brian Maher, chairman of the licensing committee, said: “This is a positive step for the council and I believe it will benefit the people of Warrington.
“The policy sets out the council’s general approach to making licensing decisions.
“It will be of great help to applicants who can refer to the policy when they are considering applying for a licence and also to residents and businesses, which may be affected.”
The council and licensees will be working to promote four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm.
The policy will be kept under review, with a full review every three years.
Students visit zoo –
but who’s watching who?
PSYCHOLOGY students from Warrington’s Priestley College went on an educational visit to Chester Zoo, to study the behaviour of primates.
They heard a talk by zoo keepers about psychology relating to various types of money, including orangutans, chimpanzees, gorillas, mandrills and spider monkeys.
The idea was to better understand the nature of innate human behaviour.
After the talk, the students carried out a range of observation activities based on the animals for their course work assignments. Many students observed the differences between the solitary behaviour of orangutans, compared to the playful and mischievous chimps.
Mel Jackson from Priestley’s Psychology Department said: “The day was well attended and the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience. On a practical front the outing provided the group with the required information for their course and we look forward to repeating the experience in the future.”
“Green” nature reserve
wins praise from MP
by staff reporter
RISLEY Moss nature reserve – which as already reported by Warrington-Worldwide – has been awarded a Green Flag for high management and maintenance standards, has won praise from Warrington North MP Helen Jones.
The awards are made to individual green areas which have met a range of criteria set by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Ms Jones said: “The team at Risley Moss have demonstrated enthusiasm and drive, particularly in working with the wider community to improve the quality of the local environment. “I am very impressed by their commitment. Good green spaces make a major contribution to our sense of well-being and quality of life, and they play an important role in helping to create cleaner, safer, greener, communities. Congratulations are in order to all involved.”
Parish council opposes
conversion of shippon
by John Hendon
CULCHETH and Glazebury Parish Council has lodged an objection to a plan to convert a shippon at Rowe Farm, Risley, near Warrington into a dwelling.
The plan is to be considered by the borough’s development control committee next week – and officers are recommending it be approved.
A previous application involved converting the shippon and a barn into two dwellings. But the barn proposal has now been withdrawn.
Parish councillors say the scheme should be turned down because the site is in the Green Belt.
But planning officers say conversion of an existing building is acceptable within the Green Belt provided the new use does not have a greater impact on the openness of th
e Green Belt.
The site is in Warrington Road, close to Risley Prison.
