Health Secretary praises Trust's cancer care

HEALTH Secretary Jeremy Hunt has praised staff for improvements to cancer waiting times at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust. Between June and November 2017 the proportion of cancer patients starting their cancer treatment within 62 days rose from 76.1% to 88%. The national target is 85%.

In a letter to the Trust chair and chief executive, Mr Hunt said:- "The Trust is a real example to others, demonstrating how to improve performance in a short space of time and ensure that your patients get the care that they deserve. From visiting organisations throughout the country, I know that the immense amount of work that will have been behind this outcome cannot be underestimated. Improvements like this are impressive and testament to the hard work and dedication of the Trust's staff. Please do pass on my congratulations to all those who work at the Trust. The service they give makes a real difference to the lives of many of the area's sickest and most vulnerable patients."

Elaine Deeming, Lead Cancer Nurse, said:- "This result has been achieved by the hard work and diligence of everyone working in Cancer Services. So, special thanks to tracker teams, service and department managers, clinical leads and clinical nurse specialists."

Ann Farrar, interim Chief Executive, added:- "This is a terrific performance by a dedicated team doing their very best for some of our most vulnerable patients."

Ability Plus Forum

A new forum to help give a voice to those living with disability has been launched with support from Sefton Council. Ability Plus, a brand new scheme open to and representing people of all disabilities across the borough, is a joint initiative by members of the previous Sefton Access Forum and Ability Network groups.   The forum will allow anyone wanting to consult or engage with Sefton's disabled community to get a better understanding of the needs of disabled people and the experiences they have of various services.

Councillor Trish Hardy, Sefton's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, welcomed the creation of Ability Plus, saying:- "Our aim for Ability Plus is to make Sefton accessible, safe and welcoming to any disabled people living, working or visiting the borough. Members of Ability Plus are all experts by experience, and will act as a critical friends to services across the borough giving feedback on their services and the experiences disabled people have."

The 1st meeting of the Ability Plus forum takes place, at Bootle Town Hall on Monday, 19 February 2018, at 1.30pm.   For more information or to register your interest in attending, call:- 0151 934 3202 or email Paul McCann.