Last chance for Merseyside artists to get onboard!

ARTISTS from across Merseyside have jumped at the chance to showcase their work to thousands of commuters on Merseytravel’s transport network.  So far, this year’s Art on the Network competition has received a wide array of entries ranging from the more traditional painting to artwork created using modern media.

Merseytravel Public Arts Officer, Emma Lawrence said:- ”It never ceases to amaze me how many talented artists there are on Merseyside. The competition doesn’t close until 21 September, so there’s still chance to enter this year’s competition.”

Councillor Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel added:- “This year the competition will be judged by internationally renowned contemporary artists THE SINGH TWINS, and I would urge local amateur artists based on Merseyside to enter.  This is an ideal opportunity to get your work recognised by an audience of over 100,000 people who use the network each day.”

This year’s competition, which is not restricted to a transport theme, is open to all Merseyside residents aged 16 and over, with the winner receiving a £500 cash prize and the runner-up £250, both pieces will go on permanent display at locations across the network.

Further competition details and submission information are also available on the Art On The Network website, closing date for entries is 21 September 2010 with judging taking place in October; the winning entries will be announced in November.

SIGNIFICANT DRUGS SEIZURE

MERSEYSIDE Police Matrix Officers, on 8 September 2010, seized a significant amount of what is believed to be class B controlled drugs during a routine stop search on Queens Drive.

"At 2.30pm on 8 September 2010, during a routine stop check of a Silver Ford Focus vehicle Matrix officers recovered approximately 26kg of class B controlled drugs, believed to be amphetamines. A 46 year old man from the Huyton area was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs." Merseyside Police told us.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Doherty said:- "This is a significant seizure of drugs which would have ended up on the streets of Merseyside and beyond. Drugs being dealt at this organised level lead to serious crime involving firearms and violence as well as serious threats to the health of our community. We will continue to tackle the dealers that supply drugs in this area."

Top Marks for Community Hospital

A community hospital has been given a clean bill of health by 3 independent health and patient watchdogs following separate assessments by each.  Broadgreen Hospital-based Kent Lodge, which is operated by NHS Liverpool Community Health, was given top marks by Care Quality Commission inspectors, praised by Liverpool’s Local Involvement network (LINk), and rated highly by the Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT).

Each inspection monitored different areas of the hospital, with CQC assessing its infection control systems, Liverpool LINk reporting on its health and social care pathways, and PEAT commenting on the environment, food and privacy and dignity.  Following a rigorous review by CQC inspectors, Kent Lodge received top marks in all areas in which it was scrutinised.

The inspection was part of the CQC’s dedicated inspection programme to assess NHS compliance with the Department of Health’s Code of Practice on cleanliness and infection control standards which the CQC is currently running. 

Liverpool LINk, meanwhile, reported that:- "comments from patients were uniformly positive about the quality of care they were receiving and the information they were receiving from staff."  The glowing report concluded:- "Liverpool LINk commends LCH’s attitude towards quality, patient experience and partnership working and the enthusiasm of senior staff and Board members for providing an ongoing commitment to finding ways to improve and innovate wherever possible whilst always keeping patient care at the centre of the service. The Productive Ward (Kent Lodge) work and the reduction of falls are particularly impressive."

Kent Lodge was also praised by the Patient Environment Action Team Assessments (PEAT), which assessed the unit for environment, food, and privacy and dignity.  The report gave Kent Lodge ratings of ‘good’ for the Environment score, ‘good’ for the Food score, and ‘excellent’ for the Privacy and Dignity Score.

Sylvia Carney, Director of Nursing, said:- “We are pleased with the CQC results, which confirm that the cleanliness and infection control measures we have taken are in accordance with DH guidelines.  However, we also understand that there is no room for complacency, which is why we are always looking for new ways to improve our service. It is this determination to strive for the highest possible standard of care which is reflected in these results.”

NEXT OF KIN APPEAL - KRIS RUDDJERS

SEFTON Coroner's office are appealing for the next of kin of a man who died at a rest home in Leyland Road, Southport.  Kris Ruddjers, 74 years old, died on Tuesday, 10 August 2010. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.  It is believed that Mr Ruddjers may have relatives in the Southport area with the family name of Bullon.  Any relatives are asked to contact the Coroner's office on:- 0151 777 3480.