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STRESSED PARAMEDICS SOOTHED BY RELAXING MUSIC
PARAMEDICS soothed by classical music could be the future of healthcare following a pioneering new appointment. Eye-catching artwork on the side of ambulances and innovative clinic design could also pave the way for culture playing a central role in Liverpool's healthcare. Performances in hospitals to boost patient, staff and visitor morale are being considered, alongside encouraging developers to make artwork an
essential part of designing hospitals.
The UK's first creative health manager is masterminding the ideas, and he has been
appointed by the Liverpool Culture Company to use the arts to improve all areas of health provision. And
at the heart of the job is to introduce a new health vision by using
creativity and culture to remedy age old problems.
Taking charge of the city-wide initiative is Julie Hanna, who has beencharged with thinking up
creative ideas to touch the lives of thousands of Liverpool people. Julie, who has a background of
working with adults who have mental illness problems, has been holding workshops to bring decision makers together to
provide a powerful force for well-being. This new appointment marks the beginning of the build-up to Liverpool's European Capital of Culture year in 2008 when there will be spectacular celebrations, with a lasting legacy of changed lives. Creative health worker at the
Liverpool Capital of Culture Company Julie Hanna said:- "There's so much great work going on in Liverpool to link culture in all forms with health promotion and well-being and firstly we want to highlight that.
We can then spread out successful projects to other hospitals, doctors and health providers so everyone benefits. Art in hospitals, creative performances, looking after paramedics' stress-levels with music, these are all ways we are investigating to boost the profile of culture within healthcare."
Executive member for Leisure and Tourism Warren Bradley welcomed the appointment and spoke of the distinctive nature of the approach. He said:- "Patients in hospitals may get the top medical care, but we need to introduce some culture and creativity into the healing process. Attractive surroundings in healthcare institutions help general well-being and this Creative Health post will give the issue the attention it deserves. It is unique that Liverpool is taking a city-wide tactic rather than individual organisations working separately, so this should give a much more holistic view of the situation."
This exceptional move continues Liverpool's fine history of taking pioneering steps on new healthcare measures in the modern age. As early as the 19th century, city leaders built the first public baths to prevent the spread of disease and it was a
Liverpudlian, Dr William Henry Duncan, who became Britain's first Medical Officer of Health. The Capital of Culture Company post will support the Creative Health until the end of 2008.
Comic
Relief Dance Night in Southport...........!
CONIC
Relief fund raising night to be
held by the JLC School of Dance at the at The Bullen Academy of
Dance on East Bank St. Southport Town center. Opposite
the Job Center, on Sunday 13 March 2005 from 7pm
onwards.
Tombola and live dance
shows through out the night.
It will be only £2.00 enter.
All cash raised will go
to the fund. Ring 01704 229534 for more information
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Over 60s in Liverpool demand an end to techno-jargon and gadget gobbledegook
YES JARGON time.... Telewest Broadband offers technology-friendly guide for elderly people. Despite today's grandparents being a tech-savvy generation, a new survey of Liverpool over 60s by Telewest Broadband, has revealed they're also frustrated - with 66% admitting modern technology and gadgets bamboozle them.
Over 30% of older folk are baffled by jargon like 'URL', 'domain name' and 'modem', whilst over 25% feel retailers simply don't talk their language, preferring instead to target younger people. The cable company also found that 19% are unsure of what to do with all the junk email they receive and 15% get frustrated with the slow speed of their dial-up internet connection.
Despite 79% of grandparents being hooked up to the web already, the Internet tops the poll as the most frustrating retirement hobby for nearly 75% of respondents. Instead of stress free surfing, over 60s in Liverpool are stuck in a worldwide web of confusing language and baffling broadband baloney.
To combat the confusion, Telewest Broadband is producing a jargon-free booklet for the over 60s, to help them through the maze of modern technology. It will cover everything from sending and receiving emails to accessing phone messages while on holiday.
Local woman, Sheila Saleh (62), is playing a starring role in Telewest Broadband's guide. She said:-
"I love keeping up to date with the latest technology and gadgets, but because the language is so confusing I get frustrated and sometimes give up. It is fantastic that Telewest Broadband is producing this easy to understand guide and I am delighted that they asked me to be involved."
The survey also reveals that when it comes to digital TV, although 60% of respondents love the wide range of programmes now available, a quarter still believe life was a lot easier when there were only 4 channels to choose from. Interactive services are also leaving old folk in Liverpool baffled with an amazing 81% struggling to access them.
Philip Snalune, director of product management and marketing at Telewest Broadband, said:- "Although new technology can enhance retired people's lifestyles, it can be difficult to get to grips with. Our aim is to offer a bundle of broadband Internet, digital TV and telephone services which are simple and easy to use.
We commissioned this survey to find out what annoys over 60s the most when it comes to modern technology and were amazed by the number of people who stated that their dream invention would be an easy to understand guide. We're championing the drive to do away with jargon-packed instruction manuals by speaking a language people will really understand."
Telewest Broadband's booklet will be available in March 2005.
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