New procedure at Liverpool Women’s Hospital is bringing hope and joy

The festive lights have never looked brighter for Rachel Backhouse. This Christmas, after years of heartache, she has been given the best present ever – the gift of a baby daughter.


“There were times when I thought it would never happen and of course I can never forget my journey over the last few years,” says Rachel, who is 29 and from Runcorn.

Aintree Hospital chef rustles up Christmas cake for colleagues in Afghanistan

A LIVERPOOL hospital chief created a special Christmas cake for his colleagues serving at a hospital in Afghanistan.

Brian Ahmed, 54, head chef at Fazakerley Hospital made the cake as a reminder of home.
Five medics from the hospital are members of the Territorial Army.

Aintree University Hospital patients contacted over virus

Hospital bosses are contacting 73 patients treated on the renal ward at Liverpool's Aintree University Hospital after one patient caught Hepatitis B from another.

A spokesman said the patients, who were treated on Ward 20 between 21 May to 24 June, would be tested next month as a precaution.Health officials said there had been a low risk of catching the virus.
The patients affected have already been sent letters by the hospital.

Opportunity to become a Mersey Care Design Team Representative

Last month, Sefton LINk members attended a Coffee Morning at Waterloo Day Hospital with Mersey Care staff and representatives who discussed plans around the changes in Mental Health services and how this would impact service users. Members heard Mersey Care’s plans for the South Sefton Mental Health Resource Centre, and there is a chance for Sefton LINk to have a representative on the Mersey Care Design Team. Please click here to download information on the role of a representative, and if you are interested in this opportunity please contact Sefton LINk Support on 0151 920 0726 ext 203 or email steven.penn@seftoncvs.org.uk. The deadline for this opportunity is Monday 9^th January, and more information is available from Sefton LINk Support.

Social Care Services over Christmas and New Year

Sefton Council have also recently published some important information about Social Care Services over Christmas and New Year. Most Social Care offices will be closed from Friday 23rd December 2011 until Monday 2nd January 2012 inclusive, so local contact numbers in case of emergencies are now available for both North and South Sefton. Please click here to download the contact information for Sefton Social Care Services over Christmas and New Year. For more information on changes to services over Christmas and New Year, please click here to visit Sefton Council’s website.

Information on Sefton Council over Christmas and New Year

Sefton Council will continue to provide essential services throughout the Christmas and New Year Holidays. However many services will not operate and most Council buildings will be closed. A mainly automated phone service for enquiries will be operating during this period on 0845 140 0845 and many services can be accessed on the council website; www.sefton.gov.uk. You can also follow updates on Sefton Council’s Twitter (@SeftonCouncil) over Christmas and New Year. Please click here to download the essential information from Sefton Council.

Everton FC players delight Alder Hey Hospital patients during Christmas visit

Everton FC players delighted young Alder Hey patients during a visit to the children’s hospital. The annual Christmas event saw the Goodison Park squad tour wards and hand out presents. The players also signed balls and shirts for some of the youngsters.

One Vision Housing Community Choir Carol Concert

The ‘One Vision Community Choir’ is performing a Carol Concert at:

St Philips Parish Church, Litherland
Tuesday 20th December, 7-8pm
Admission is free.


For more information contact Nikki Bonner on 0300 365 1111.

NHS reaction to online patient feedback is changing

In the early days the NHS thought the web was best ignored but it's learning that online feedback can be positive, says James Munro....

Health service staff are, perhaps understandably, cautious creatures and are taking their time in embracing the world of social media and online feedback. But, looking at how the NHS has responded to public feedback on Patient Opinion over the past six years, we are starting to see some welcome changes in how both organisations and staff regard the online world.

Latest News from NHS Sefton - December 2011 Update

Please see below for the latest news Update from NHS Sefton. This bulletin is designed to keep you informed of our latest news and developments. Please email communications@sefton.nhs.uk for more information on the update.

Please click here to download the NHs Sefton December 2011 Update. 

People First's Consultation Session for People with a Learning Disability

Sefton Council has to cut its spending on local services. This affects you, your family, your friends and neighbours. This is a “drop in” consultation meeting. This is your chance to have your say about what services are most important to you. The consultation drop-in sessions take place at Goddard Hall, 297 Knowsley Road, Bootle on Monday 19th December between 1.00pm and before 4.00pm to look at the choices, talk to council officers and make your views known.

Please click here to download the information flyer

DH banned CQC from recruiting inspectors

The Department of Health must share responsibility for the failings of the Care Quality Commission, a report by the National Audit Office has found.

The report concluded the CQC had not provided value for money, as it underspent by a total of £14.9m during 2009-10 and 2010-11, but said it was not clear “exactly where the balance of responsibility lies” between the DH and CQC.

Imperial to take on national patient safety role

A leading London acute trust is to take on responsibility for collecting information on patient safety incidents at NHS trusts when the National Patient Safety Agency is wound up next year.

The National Reporting and Learning Service, the world’s largest source of patient safety information, is to transfer to Imperial College Healthcare Foundation Trust on a temporary basis in April 2012.

Merseyside Police - '101' non-emergency phone number

From 23^rd November, communities across Merseyside have access to 101, the new, easy to remember national non-emergency telephone number.  It is being introduced to every police force across England and Wales to improve access to the police, ease pressure on 999 and help the police efficiently and effectively tackle crime and disorder.

Sefton Council Budget Options affecting Sefton's parks, green spaces, the coast and countryside

As part of the Councils Budget review consultation for 2012 / 2013, a number of saving options are being considered and consulted upon which affect Sefton’s parks, green spaces, the coast and countryside...

Department of Health's Care Quality Commission review begins

The Care Quality Commission is being reviewed by the Department of Health in the first of a series of evaluations examing the performance and capability of arms length bodies.

As part of the review, CQC chief executive Cynthia Bower has met with DH permanent secretary Una O’ Brien and 40 staff, including inspectors, have been interviewed by the team carrying out the review.

Help, I can’t get a taxi! - NHS reveals the most ridiculous uses of emergency services in Merseyside

Merseyside’s most ridiculous reasons for using emergency services have been revealed as part of Self Care Week (14-20 November), which aims to encourage people to think about the wide range of health services available before they dial 999 or visit A&E this winter.

In a bid to keep A&E and the 999 number free for genuine medical  emergencies over the busier months, NHS Merseyside have revealed the five most unusual reasons for their use this year...

Family of Southport Hospital patient present £1,000 cheque to medical day unit

The family of a patient treated regularly at Southport Hospital’s medical day unit has presented a cheque for £1,000 towards its refurbishment and extension.

NICE PPIP Update Bulletin – November 2011 1

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence have published their latest PPIP Bulletin. Please click here to download.

Department of Health signals new delays to commissioning support procurement

Most clinical commissioning groups will be unable to bring in major new support services to replace ex-primary care trust staff until early 2014, new Department of Health guidance indicates.

The Department of Health last week published a revised draft of its Developing Commissioning Support: towards service excellence document, a previous version of which was leaked to Health Service Journal last month.
The new draft says CCGs  are very unlikely to have major support contracts in place by April 2013, when they are due to take over from PCTs.

Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust re-branding

 As healthcare and the NHS become more commercial, it is essential that patients are able to recognise services. As Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust deliver a wide range of services across Merseyside, the Trust are working with Sefton, Liverpool and Knowsley LINk’s to help re-brand themselves as a much more recognisable service provider - the brand should represent what LCH can offer to staff, patients and public alike.

HealthWatch Programme Board – New arrangements

 Please see below for a letter to all HealthWatch Programme Board members from National Director of Patient and Public Affairs Joan Saddler regarding recent changes that are being made to the HealthWatch program arrangements....

Breakthrough UK's Survey on Personalisation

Breakthrough UK, who promote the rights, responsibilities and respect of disabled people, want to hear your views and experiences of Personalisation.  Is it working for you/your service users?  We need to know!  This is your opportunity to influence policy development and local implementation in a changing world.

Personalisation will not only require the significant transformation of adult social care but could also change the way the voluntary sector is funded in the next few years.

The deadline to complete this short 10 minute survey is midday Friday 25th November 2011.

Repairs to be carried out on road into Southport Hospital

Visitors are being warned to expect delays during resurfacing of the road into Southport & Formby District General Hospital next week. The work will start on Wednesday, November 9, and be completed on Sunday, November 13.

NHS staff plea for parents to keep children safe on Bonfire Night

NHS staff today pleaded with Liverpool parents to keep their children staff on bonfire night – after already treating a young boy for burns caused by fireworks.
 
Nurses at Smithdown Children’s Walk-in Centre helped the child who suffered burns to his back.

Jo Robertson, manager of the walk-in centre, run by Liverpool Community Health, said: “We hope everybody has a great Bonfire Night whether they are attending an organised display or holding their own party.
“By taking certain precautions you can also ensure it is a safe one.
 

Commissioning board chief admits 'I don't use the NHS'

The admission from Professor Malcolm Grant came during a grilling he received at the hands of the House of Commons Health Committee last week.

When asked to demonstrate his ‘passion' for the NHS, the Univer­sity College London provost, appointed to the role earlier this month, was forced onto the defensive by MPs.

‘Come on, what do you want me to say?' he asked. ‘I find it difficult to demonstrate because I am not a patient of the NHS.'

Arms length Bodies to close

The review of Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) published in July 2010 assessed whether the work of each of the Department’s ALBs remains essential.

It also looked at whether work was being duplicated or could be carried out by a different body, or in a different way. There was a clear intention to remove from the sector those organisations that the review concluded would no longer be needed. This statement provides more information on those organisations.

Sefton LINk Upcoming Coffee Mornings...

Sefton Local Involvement Network (LINk) invites you to come along to one of our upcoming Coffee Mornings being held across Sefton - open to both LINk members and the general public! The Coffee Mornings are an opportunity to meet other LINk members and listen to one of our guest speakers about local Health and Adult Social Care services. All welcome!  

Managing Director of NHS Sefton Marie Rice speaking at the Sefton LINk Coffee Morning.

·        The next Sefton LINk Coffee Morning takes place on Wednesday 26th October, 10am-12noon at Christ Church in Southport. The guest speaker will be Claire Lee - the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) Compliance Manager for Sefton and Liverpool.

·        The first November Coffee Morning takes place on Tuesday 1^st November, 10am-12noon in the patient area at Waterloo Day Hospital, Waterloo. The guest speakers will be the project leads for Mersey Care’s South Sefton Neighbourhood Project (RE: Changes to Waterloo Day Hospital)

·        The second November Coffee Morning takes place on Thursday 17th November, 10am-12noon at Netherton Park Community Centre and features guest speaker Sue Pierce from NHS Sefton talking about how YOUR personal medical information is shared.  

For more information please contact Sefton LINk Support on 0151 920 0726 ext 203 or email sls@seftoncvs.org.uk.

Big Lottery Fund - 'Heroes Return 2 : A trip to remember' grant applications...

An Introduction to Community Development FREE Training

Sefton Adult and Community Learning Service are offering a FREE Training course 'An Introduction to Community Development'.

Click here download the Training information flyer

BBC3's Young Question Time applications

Please see below message from Mentorn (a production company who are producing ‘Young Voters’ Question Time’ for BBC3).