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Public are asked
to be vigilant
THE PUBLIC are asked to be
vigilant after theft of hospital vehicle containing contaminated
surgical instruments.
At around 6pm on Thursday, 12 April 2012, a white, Iveco, M-reg,
box van that belonging to Southport and
Ormskirk NHS Trust, was stolen from outside a property on Folkstone
Road, Southport, Merseyside.
The van contained a number of used, contaminated surgical
instruments which were being transported to Southport hospital for
sterilisation and could potentially pose a health risk if moved or
handled. The instruments were stored inside a large trolley.
"If any of this equipment is found please do not touch. It should be
reported immediately to the local authority or the Police for
removal." said the Trust.
The van also contained a small number of patient and staff documents
which were being transferred between sites, in line with Trust
procedures. The documents included GP referral letters and 5 sets
of patient case notes. We have contacted all those patients
affected.
Geraldine Boocock, Medical Director at Southport and Ormskirk
Hospital NHS Trust, said:- "We are asking the public to be
vigilant while this equipment is missing.
The missing equipment contains instruments used for surgery earlier
in the day. Anyone who suspects they have seen the equipment should
report it immediately. For their own safety, they should not attempt
to handle it.
The Health Protection Agency has been notified and we are working
closely them."
"An investigation into the matter is ongoing. Anyone who may have
witnessed this incident, has seen the van being driven or parked or
anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 101
or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111." added Merseyside
Police.
Grand National deaths tragic but don’t lose sight of the larger
picture says BHS
THE British Horse Society,
the UK’s foremost equestrian charity responds to the loss of 2
horses in the 2012 Grand National. Lee Hackett (Senior Executive,
BHS Welfare) said:- "The deaths of Synchronised and According
To Pete on Saturday were tragic. We are confident that the racing
authorities will investigate these deaths thoroughly with a view to
securing any safety improvements which may be necessary. As with all
equestrian sports, participation in the Grand National carries
risks. Where these risks can be reduced they must be and the BHS
fully supports the BHA in its work. However, we must wait for the
outcome of these investigations before we comment on the adequacy of
any proposed actions. It is worth remembering that the keeping of
racehorses in training is very tightly regulated, far more so than
for almost any other type of animal. Welfare standards are monitored
closely. Sadly, many non-racehorses do not receive the same level of
care and attention and live lives blighted by suffering and neglect;
our 200 welfare officers see such cases every day. While we would
not for one second seek to detract from the importance of the deaths
of these racehorses, we urge those upset by the Grand National to
join us in trying to make a difference to the hundreds of horses who
are out there suffering right now. They may not make the headlines
but their rights and needs are no less important."
Email us your views on this to:-
news24@southportrepoter.com and let us know what you
think should or should not be done at
the Grand National in 2013! |
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Controversial
gas drilling operation to restart
THE controversial gas
drilling operation that triggered earthquakes that had been felt in
Southport and Blackpool has restarted. Cuadrilla gas exploration rig
at Banks, near Southport, Merseyside and was always going to be
controversial. The Cuadrilla Resources operation known as 'fracking'
at a site uses high water and chemical mix that is injected
into rocks cracks under pressure to extract gas from them. On 1
April 2011, magnitude 1.5 tremor hit the coastline, and on 27 May
2011 magnitude 2.3 was felt, both small earthquakes in reality.
Yet they did make people notice and quickly many suspected a link.
No damage was ever directly linked, although a number of people
claimed it and some called the Police to report shaking, after the
second tremor. After the second hit, they operation was
halted by Cuadrilla and the firm brought in independent experts
who then concluded that both tremors were triggered by fracking.
They proposed a "traffic light" early warning system,
but said that further fracking induced earthquakes were possible,
but unlikely to cause structural damage. Now the firm will restart,
but with tighter controls on the process. So what do our readers
think about this? Email us your views on this to:-
news24@southportrepoter.com and let us know what you
think!
Remembrance Service to honour Zeebrugge action
RETIRED Royal Marines from
all over the country will march on Seacombe this Sunday, 22 April
2012, to commemorate one of the most heroic actions of the First
World War in which the Mersey Ferries played their part. The annual
Zeebrugge Remembrance service, organised by the Merseyside branch of
the Royal Marines Association, is held at Seacombe Ferry Terminal
and aboard one of the ferries. Jim Barclay, interim chief executive
of Merseytravel, which owns and operates the ferries, said:-
"This is one of the most significant and moving events of the year,
marking the time when the Mersey Ferries and the Royal Marines
forged an historic link that should never be forgotten."
The original Daffodil and Iris acted as both landing craft for
marines and tugboats to HMS Vindictive. They came under heavy fire
but, battered and intact, both ferries returned, and King George V
awarded them the title of "Royal" ferries, a unique
distinction that remains to this day.
It was an action that saw vicious hand to hand fighting, incredible
heroism and the award of 200 medals for gallantry, including 8
Victoria Crosses, the highest military honour for bravery. Jim
Barclay, continued:- "Even as members of the military serve
their country across the globe, we come together to remember those
who lost their lives at Zeebrugge and the bravery of the crews of
our own ferries who took part."
The memorial service, which marks the 94th anniversary of the
Zeebrugge landing, sets sail at 0945hrs and includes the casting of
wreathes or Daffodils and Irises into the River Mersey; followed by
a memorial ceremony at the Zeebrugge Memorial at Seacombe and a VIP
inspection of the veterans. |
