Hospital investing in staff and services

INVESTMENT in services, at Southport Hospital, is continuing with the opening of a discharge and transfer lounge for patients who are ready to go home. The ₤136,000 investment comes on top of a ₤1.25m improvement to the Accident and Emergency department. An 8 bed Clinical Decision Unit opened in the spring. Work on a bigger, modernised waiting room and new Ambulance drop off area gets under way next month.

Hazel Irizar, Head of Patient Flow, said:- "The discharge lounge has 3 beds and a side room for less able or infectious patients. There is also a seating area for up to 8 other patients. Patients move to the lounge on the day of their discharge if they are unable to go home directly; for example, where they're waiting for medicines to be dispensed. It also helps us get ward beds ready for newly admitted patients."

As well as buildings and equipment, Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust is also investing in clinical staff.

More than ₤300,000 will be used to expand the Critical Care Outreach Team to a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week operation. The team helps with the treatment of patients whose condition begins to deteriorate unexpectedly.

The Trust is also recruiting 3 further orthopaedic consultants, 2 more consultant radiologists and 5 additional senior doctors.

Silas Nicholls, Chief Executive, said:- "When I joined the Trust in April, I said I wanted the Hospital where I live to be 1 we can be proud of. These very necessary investments are a down payment on that pledge. I also want to thank and pay tribute to staff across the Trust whose continued hard work and dedication underpins everything we do to benefit patients."

Young people get a blast from the past with City heritage trail

LIVERPOOL'S young people are on a quest to unlock the secrets of some of City's most iconic buildings. It's a walk through the corridors of history to find hidden gems and long forgotten stories… And while it may sound like the plot of a Hollywood movie, it's actually all part of an exciting new project to find City's very own Young Heritage Champions.

Throughout this week young people aged between 14 and 19 will be taking part in a series of workshops, tours and practical sessions all aimed at giving them a greater appreciation of the City's rich heritage.

The Young Heritage Champions (YHC) project is being spearheaded by Liverpool City Council's Mayoral Lead for Heritage, Cllr Alice Bennett who has recruited the young people from Schools and youth groups.

Cllr Bennett said:- "This is a 4 day programme that will take the young people on a journey through the City's heritage. During the sessions and tours they will be learning about the history of some of our most prestigious buildings. They will be looking at the architecture and design and learning more about the various artworks on display. We will also be giving them a chance to hone their photography skills by capturing the events on camera as well as their art and design skills. The young people will be encouraged to think of the future of the City for the next 100 years and how to preserve its heritage as we move into the future."

The week kicked off at St George's Hall where the young time travellers will get a grounding on the stunning Minton Tiled Floor. They will also look at buildings at risk across the City to give them an understanding of conservation and preservation. The week will include an introduction to Liverpool's World Heritage Site, a look inside the Town Hall, St Luke's Church and the Georgian Wellington Rooms, Mount Pleasant.

The young people will be given the chance to contemplate the relevance and importance of heritage to their generation and look at how they would use their new found skills to re-design where they live. The young people come from all over Liverpool, but all share a passion for their City.

Heritage Champion Faith McCabe, 17, from West Derby, said:- "I am really pleased to be taking part in this event. It's a chance for us to find out more about some of the wonderful buildings and places in Liverpool. Our heritage is something I think is often overlooked by young people but I think it's really important that we learn all about it."

Whilst Yaman Awaza, 15, from Knotty Ash, added:- "It's a great learning experience. Not only will we be learning about the City but we will getting to grips with some new skills as well. It will be good to pass this knowledge on to other people as part of our heritage champion roles."

At the end of the project the young people will be asked to compile their own portfolios of photographs, designs and writing. Each will then be presented with a special certificate by Deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool Cllr Peter Brennan before being officially hailed as Young Heritage Champions.

Cllr Bennett, added:- "The reason I started this is because decision makers tend to be older and usually male who at the most come up with 15 year plans. This programme gives a voice to young people to help them think about how they can influence decision making and the shape of the City over the next 100 years. Heritage is an area that is often overlooked for young people, but we believe it is vital that they learn more about it and become passionate about the past. Young people are the future of the City so it is only right that they become the custodians of its past."

For more information on Liverpool's World Heritage site visit:- Liverpool.Gov.UK/WorldHeritage.