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.