Unite is angry over NHS plans

UNITE raps NHS plans to shut screening unit as more women take cancer tests thanks to the “Jade Goody” effect.   Unite is angry over NHS plans to shut a cervical screening service next month putting thousands of female patients across Merseyside and West Lancashire at risk.

NHS Sefton has informed Unite the union that it proposes to shut the Cervical Cytology Services within the Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust by 31 March 2010. The Trust have said that 51% of the work will be transferred to the Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust (RLBUHT). However, it has not been confirmed who will be taking over the other 49% of the screening service for Cumbria and Lancashire.

Unite members at the Cervical Cytology Service provide a screening service for women across the North West including areas such as Tarleton, Skelmersdale, Southport, Ormskirk, Formby and Maghull. Many GP practices across the areas rely on the service to provide all their “smear taker kits”. Also, staff have a responsibility to follow up on patients who have had a positive smear or asked to return to a GP for a repeat smear and patients who have not been treated.

Unite is calling for meaningful consultation and urgent dialogue with the Trust and local GP’s over the proposed closure and transfer of jobs.

Unite regional officer, Debbie Brannan said:- “Unite members are obviously concerned about their jobs but as health care professionals they are more concerned about saving thousands of women’s lives from this dreadful disease.  Once staff move who is going to monitor female patients from Merseyside and West Lancs if they cannot access patient histories or records? Who will provide smear kits for local GP’s?  The gynaecologists at Southport and Ormskirk not only take cervical smears but also treat patients with abnormalities. They are concerned that the service is becoming fragmented. Cytology is not a stand alone service but part of a much bigger picture when it comes to caring for female patients.  Thanks to the Jade Goody effect and her story more women are coming forward for testing. And there has been a massive campaign to cut the smear test age to save women’s lives. It is essential women across Merseyside and Lancs do not lose faith in the service.  The union is demanding that the Trust delays the closure and transfer of work. We want the Trust to work with our members and local GP’s to agree a clear plan so that any transfer of work is done at a pace that will enable the service to transfer with the minimum of disruption for both the staff and its patients.”

NEXT OF KIN APPEAL - GEORGE FORBES THOMPSON

SEFTON Coroners Office are looking for the next of kin of a man who died on Saturday, 27 February 2010 in Birkdale.

George Forbes Thompson, 84, died at his home on Carr Lane, Birkdale, Merseyside. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

The Coroner's Office has been unable to trace Mr Thompson's next of kin and is appealing for any relatives to come forward.

Any next of kin, or anyone who has information about Mr Thompson's next of kin, is asked to contact the office of H M Coroner on:- 0151 934 2746 or the Coroner's Officers at Southport police station on:- 0151 777 3480.

Liverpool will be transformed into Formula One race track!
Photograph - C. Boom Report - P. Trollope

YES, that is correct... The event will be called:- "A Liverpool Pageant of Power" and is hoped that it will see super cars racing through the city, and powerboats and jet skis speeding across the Mersey during a free festival in May 2010. The event is being organised by Cholmondeley Pageant of Power in partnership with Liverpool ONE, Liverpool Council, Mersey Travel and Ernst and Young. So eat your heart out London! The event is predicted to bring in thousands of people to the city, during the sceptical and will build upon the success of the Honda Formula Power Boats and Merseyside's forgotten motor racing past. Cholmondeley Pageant of Power Event Director said:- “It is an amazing show incorporating land, sea and air. We have Le Mans and Grand Prix cars, powerboat racers from Formula 2, 4 and OSY, as well as helicopters and aerobatic displays. The Strand is an ideal space for us. Liverpool could not have been designed better for our air, sea and land purposes.” The plan is to close both sides of The Strand after rush hour on 25 May 2010. The southbound side will be used for spectators while supercars burn rubber along the northbound stretch between the Canning Place (Merseyside Police Headquarters) and Mann Island. Estimates suggest the free event could bring £500,000 into the city in one night, if the expected 20,000 spectators attend the event. A week of events including rides in Ferraris, Lamborghinis and possibly even helicopters will coincide with Liverpool One’s second birthday, on 29 May 2010. Although the events have yet to be finalised, it is believed the Bentley Speed 8, a Le Mans 24 hour race winner in 2003; the Silk Cut Jaguar, Le Mans winner in 1988; a supercharged Bentley Blower from 1926 and a JCB dragster capable of 100mph will make appearances. Mr Hall said:- “It will be quite an epic sight, seeing that going down the Strand.” Chris Bliss, Liverpool ONE estates director added:- “We are thrilled to be involved in such an exciting and dynamic event. The Liverpool Pageant of Power promises to be a fantastic spectacle of land, sea and air displays, the likes of which have not been seen in the City before. At Liverpool ONE, we’re also working on a week-long event which will bring elements of the Pageant alive, from F1 vehicles on display to remote-control car racing so that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.”

NEXT OF KIN APPEAL - DAVID CASEY

SEFTON Coroners Office have appealed for the next of kin of a man who died on Monday, 1 March 2010 in Southport to contact them.

David Casey, 69, died at his home on Lytham Road, Southport. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

The Coroner's Office has been unable to trace Mr Casey's next of kin and is appealing for any relatives to come forward.

Any next of kin, or anyone who has information about Mr Casey's next of kin, is asked to contact the office of H M Coroner on:- 0151 934 2746 or the Coroner's Officers at Southport Police Station on:- 0151 777 3480.