Dr Foster study backs hospital's safe and clean reputation

SOUTHPORT and Ormskirk Hospital has been recognised as one of the best NHS trusts in the North West for patient safety.  The independent findings by Dr Foster Intelligence ranked the Trust 6th out of 23 in a study which looked at a basket of patient safety, clinical effectiveness and patient experience indicators.  The Trust was also highlighted for the quality of its keyhole (or laproscopic) surgery for gall bladder conditions and the very low number of day cases where patients have to stay overnight.

Jonathan Parry, chief executive of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, said:- "This is excellent news once again for the tens of thousands of patients we treat every year and we would urge them to use studies such as this to choose where they are treated.  Our staff pride themselves on providing safe, clean and friendly care. So, it's a big reason to celebrate when you hear an independent organisation confirming we're achieving what we set out to do 365 days a year."

Medical director Mohsen Iskander added:- "I was particularly pleased to see our use of keyhole techniques for gall bladder surgery being highlighted.  Keyhole surgery is used widely in the Trust because of the many benefits it can have for patients. These include a reduced risk of infection, less pain with the need for less medication, less scarring and a shorter stay in hospital which means getting back to a normal life more quickly."

As an example of this is Mrs Patricia Wallace, 73, lives with husband Bill in Aughton between Ormskirk and Maghull. She recently underwent keyhole surgery to remove her gall bladder and has nothing but praise for the surgeons and staff at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust. 

"I had been feeling unwell earlier in the year and went to my GP who referred me to hospital. They thought I might have a hiatus hernia and this was confirmed a bit later when I had an ultrasound. I was told I also had gall stones and I would be referred to a surgeon.  In the summer, I saw consultant surgeon Mr Rohan Gunasekera at Ormskirk hospital who said he thought I needed my gall bladder removed. He said that he would be doing it laproscopically. He explained what that meant and how it would mean four very small incisions rather than one large one and he really put my mind at ease. I have had to have a couple of operations in the past so I was pleased that I would not have to stay in hospital as long and go through the discomfort like before. Because it was our golden wedding anniversary in October, Mr Gunasekera agreed to postpone the operation until after then. I went in to Southport hospital on the morning of 4th November, had the operation that afternoon and was home again the following day. For the first few days I felt a bit sore, but it is now only three weeks since the operation and I feel fine with no tenderness at all. It is all very neat and tidy with just two small incisions either side of my belly-button and two on my side. I haven't even had to have the stitches out because they used the type that dissolves. All in all I have been really impressed. It was good to have only stayed in hospital for one night, it's always nice to get back home. A district nurse came round twice in the first week to change the dressings and I feel I'm getting back to normal really quickly."

Sir Ron Watson, Chairman of Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust congratulated staff on the Band 4 rating given the Trust by independent watchdog Dr Foster in their Hospital Guide.  He said:- "This is a good score and is testament to the continued commitment of out staff to give the best possible care we can to our patients. One of the important areas where we have scored well is in infection control and for this I have to thank not only our staff also our patients and visitors who help us by exercising good hand hygiene. The simple act of washing your hands or using the alcohol gels available throughout the hospitals helps to reduce the risk of infection. I urge everyone who enters our hospitals for an appointment or to visit a friend or relative to use the gels that can be found at the entrance to all our wards and departments."

Muzzy-travel

MERSEYTRAVEL has become Muzzy-travel throughout November – all in the name of charity.  During the month, and to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research, a merry band of 19 moustachios has come together to grow an amazing array of facial adornments.

The fundraising was part of the national “Movember” foundation campaign and colleagues from many departments across the organisation, including Chief Executive Neil Scales, threw down their razors and took up the challenge.  Together, Team Muzzy-travel has raised more than £2,000 for the worthwhile cause – and money is still coming in.

Organiser and one of the Merseytravel Mo Bros, Julian Westwood, who heads up the organisation’s TravelSafe team, said:- “It is an important campaign for an important cause. Many people don’t realise that one man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK, more than 35,000 men will be diagnosed this year and prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK.   We had some fantastic support. The aim was always that the more we could get to join us, the more we can change the face of men’s health by raising awareness.”

The array of moustaches are styled on a range of celebrities over the years, including Motorhead’s Lemmy, Magnum PI, Zorro, the cop from the Village People and vintage 1982 Graeme Souness.

The Movember foundation campaign asked men to grow a moustache throughout November, raising money via sponsorship, to fund vital research.  2009 is Movember’s 3rd year in the UK.  For more details about the work that is being carried out as a result of Movember funds, the details are available by visiting movemberfoundation.com.

Tribute to victims of Ellan Vannin

MERSEY Ferries hosts a memorial event to commemorate the anniversary of a sinking that stunned the Isle of Man 100 years ago on  Thursday 3 December 1909.

The SS Ellan Vannin, travelling from Ramsey, Isle of Man, to Liverpool was overwhelmed by a freak wave in one of the worst storms of the century. All 21 crew members, 15 passengers and 60 tons of cargo and mail was lost.

The service will be held on board the Snowdrop during the river cruise which for this voyage will cruise towards the Mersey Bar in the area where the Ellan Vannin foundered.  It will be attended by the Chief Minister of the Isle of Man and other dignitaries, while school children and sea cadets will cast 36 red roses into the river for each of the lives lost.  There will be a minute’s silence and sounding of the Last Post as wreathes by dignitaries are thrown into the sea.  Former member of the Spinners Hughie Jones will also be on board to sing his own song The Ellan Vannin Tragedy. 

Members of the public can attend the service and tickets are available on the day on a first-come first served basis from the Pier Head Ferry Terminal.  Adults £6.30, concessions £4.85 and children £3.95.