Wednesday 25th January 2006

Hospital’s ?2.9 million
heart unit ready early
by David Skentelbery

A ?2.9 million heart unit at Warrington Hospital has been completed nine weeks ahead of schedule ? and to budget.
The hi-tech coronary angiography suite will provide life-saving tests for heart patients in Warrington and Halton.
It will treat its first patients early in February.
The suite houses a cardiac catheterisation laboratory and a 10-bed day ward and will treat more than 1,500 patients a year from North Cheshire and St Helens and Knowsley.
It will provide diagnostic coronary angiographies for patients who currently have to travel to centres in either Liverpool or Manchester for the procedure.
Helen Seddon, cardio-respiratory service manager and project manager of the development, said healthcare staff were looking forward to making the most of the new facility.
She said: “The suite allows us to carry out a wider range of tests and investigations for our patients. Heart disease is a major health issue in North Cheshire, and the suite will be helping us to save lives from the first day it opens through earlier diagnosis and treatment.
“Having such a modern and much needed facility on site is tremendous news, but the fact that it will be opening earlier than planned is another real boost for Trust staff. That is especially the case for members of the project team who have worked extremely hard throughout the development.
“Now the construction work is completed, we will be aiming to install the new equipment and complete staff training as soon as possible, ahead of treating our first patients.”
Ron Patterson, the Trust’s capital projects manager, said the suite has been completed ahead of schedule and on budget thanks to a new way of working.
He explained: “During 2002, a new national initiative for NHS capital procurement, called ProCure 21, was piloted in the North West and West Midlands. It was introduced nationally the following year. Under this scheme, the Trust works in partnership with the building and design team. This close relationship has encouraged collaboration and enabled the construction to progress smoothly.
“When you are talking about a facility which will help to save lives, we felt that every second saved through construction would ultimately benefit our patients.”
Ron added: “This is the first time we have worked under ProCure 21 and it has been a very positive experience for the Trust. I would also like to thank our partners, Norwest Holst Limited (Integrated Health Projects), who have really worked hard to deliver a first class medical facility.”
In Warrington, 3.9% of the population have CHD.

In search of sporting
excellence in the sun

STUDENTS from Warrington’s Priestley College set off in search of sporting excellence with a one week residential trip to the Club La Santa resort in Lanzarote.
A favoured warm weather training camp for professional sports men and women world-wide, the residential stay allowed the students to develop their skills in a range of disciplines.
Although enjoyment was of course central to the outing, the serious nature of the camp couldn’t be underestimated either, with students benefiting greatly from the facilities, tutorship and favourable weather conditions available at the resort.
With many youngsters now choosing Priestley as their educational option on the road to developing professional careers in sport it was no surprise that they revelled in the La Santa experience.
In an action packed week, the group were continually kept on their toes by a range of sports orientated tasks which included a Triathlon, 100m sprint challenge, swimming, wind surfing, beach volleyball, basketball and tennis alongside a range of gym based fitness work.
Head of Sport Nigel Howells said: “This visit to Club La Santa couldn’t have been much more successful. The students benefited a great deal from the experience and were a joy to work alongside.”

Lord Daresbury
leaves De Vere
by business staff

LORD Daresbury is stepping down as chairman of the Warrington-based De Vere hotel and leisure club group.
He has been with the group since 1989 when he joined as managing director when it traded under the Greenalls name.
Aged 52, he has overseen the group?s transformation from a family run brewery into a leading national hotelier.
Lord Daresbury will be succeeded by David Richardson, who joined the group as a non-executive director last October.
Mr Richardson has been finance director at Whitbread for the last four years and held various senior positions with the company over the last 22 years. He is 54.

Search is on for
town’s treasures
by Terry Johnson

THE search is on for Warrington’s unrealised treasures in dusty attics and wardrobes.
BBC-TV cameras and experts from the ‘Flog It’ programme will be in town on February 5, looking to value the quirky and the extraordinary.
People are urged to taken their antiques and collectibles to Parr Hall for a free valuation, which could lead them to being put in a filmed auction.
Programme-makers say people should take one or two antiques to the popular valuation event. Pieces which could go into auction are especially welcomed.
There will be free admission to Parr Hall on Feb 5, with valuations between 9.30am-4.00pm.
Warrington’s ‘Flog It’ will be filmed over three days – the first at Parr Hall, with two other dates to be confirmed for an auction in Knutsford and the production of inserts.
The programme will be screened on BBC2, between May and July.

Flat wrecked in
early morning blaze
by David Skentelbery

FIRE devastated a first floor flat in Andover Close, Padgate, Warrington in the early hours of the morning.
Flames were leaping from the windows of the property when fire crews reached the scene after being alerted by neighbours.
Severe damage was caused to the living room, kitchen and bedroom and there was extensive smoke damage throughout the property.
Six firemen wearing breathing apparatus entered the property because of the fear that someone was trapped inside. But in fact, the occupants were out at the time.
The cause of the blaze is now being investigated.

Breast cancer
support group
by John Hendon

A NEW breast cancer support group is set to raise its profile at Warrington.
?Sarah’s Stars? is a 20-strong group of mainly young women, many of whom have had to deal, independently, with multiple problems arising from cancer.
Its members have come together to help young women across the borough diagnosed with breast cancer and also older women affected by the disease.
The support group is a North-West ?first? , aided by a ?5,000 lottery grant.
Now it has sold all 200 tickets to a ball at Stretton’s Park Royal Hotel on February 11, ‘to help lift its profile and reach out to those who need emotional support and understanding.
There will be a fund-raising auction at the ball with prizes, including a holiday for two in Portugal.
Founder members of ?Sarah’s Stars? are fulfilling the wish of 29-year-old local woman Sarah Jenner, from Old Hall, to form a community support group. Sadly, Sarah died of breast cancer a year ago.
Group contacts are Carolyn Hanley, chairman, on 0151 424 2491 or Sue Moon on 01925 711492.

Puzzle game aims for
Toy Fair success
by Terry Johnson

WARRINGTON-based Braingym UK has high hopes of taking Toy Fair 2006 by storm with an addictive new game!
Its Kaleidoscope Classic puzzle game – designed to appeal to everyone from age six to 106 – could become best seller next Christmas.
Developed by a psychologist and mathematician, the fun challenge consists of one 8 x 8 frame with 18 pieces, each unique by either size, shape and/or colour and the aim is to create a pattern or desig

n using all 18 pieces. There are 101 challenges to solve.
Pauline Quayle, who set up Braingym UK last year, said: “There is no other puzzle like it on the market, with new solutions being thought up all the time.” Education specialists have identified its links to the UK National Curriculum and games are already in the hands of thousands of schoolchildren.
The puzzler has been used in the Warrington Wolves Playing for Success Centre.
Manager Chris Hickey said: “Once the children had solved the basic pattern they couldn’t wait to try a harder one”.

[ 09.02.2006, 09:51: Message edited by: DS ]