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NORTH WEST MEETS THE CHALLENGE OF RAISING TOURISM STANDARDS
TOURISM is the
world's fastest-growing industry, pouring more than £3 billion a
year into the Northwest economy and accounting for more than eight
per cent of the region's entire workforce.
But it is also a highly competitive industry, which acknowledges
that, if growth is to be maintained at current rates, service
quality needs to be of the highest standard.
Currently saddled with annual staff turnover rates of 40 per cent in
the Northwest – the industry has been looking more attractive to
potential employees for the past year, second only to the retail
sector, and highly rated among many who work within the field.
Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive said:- "Tourism is
a key priority for the Northwest Development Agency and the Tourism
and Hospitality Skills Conference will play a crucial role in
ensuring effective training support for this important sector.
A successful and
vibrant tourism industry presents a positive image of the Northwest
to the UK and abroad, promoting investment and strengthening the
regional economy. A focus on the importance of the provision of high
quality skills is vital. I am pleased to be involved in this
forthcoming conference, and I am confident that by working together
we can deliver real change for tourism in the UK."
Tourism provides an estimated 225,000 jobs in the Northwest, with a
further 100,000 thought to be employed indirectly. The region
attracts 18 million visits a year - no surprise in view of
outstanding attractions ranging from the Lake District and Chester
to the traditional bucket 'n' spade joys of Blackpool or Morecambe.
But competition
increases year on year - not least from the proliferation of cheap
package holidays abroad. If the Northwest fails in its mission to
provide the essential back-up of a skilled workforce, there is a
danger that visitors will spot a weakness and perhaps begin to look
elsewhere.
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us your news and views today!
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NHS Moves to Stamp out Violence within Hospitals
DOCTORS, nurses, paramedics and other health workers are joining forces to hit home the message that violence and abuse against them will not be tolerated.
NHS workers from all professions in Cheshire and Merseyside, including Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, are launching a hard-hitting campaign yesterday as they unveiled a series of posters for buses, bus shelters and pubs and clubs in Cheshire and Merseyside.
The campaign itself features a series of graphic images that highlight the physical and mental damage inflicted on NHS staff everyday.
With 4,767 reported incidents of violence against NHS staff during 2002/03, with a 3 percent rise than the previous annual report, affecting 60,000 frontline NHS workers across both counties.
The campaign aims to reduce this by raising public awareness. Its messages are stark - the NHS will not tolerate abuse of its staff and it will support staff who prosecute.
Jonathan Parry, Chief Executive of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust, said:-
"Violence against all of those working in the NHS is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. NHS staff and professionals have the right to work in a safe and secure environment where they can deliver the best possible patient care without fear of hostility. One of our key objectives is to tackle violence or abuse of any kind against staff.”
Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust has already introduced a number of procedures to protect its staff, including a policy that includes withdrawal of treatment to any persistently violent patient.
This campaign is being run jointly across 30 NHS organisations in Cheshire and Merseyside with the backing of and part funding from the Workforce Development Confederation. 
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