Nominate your Hospital People's Health Hero

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to nominate a member of staff at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust for a honour in the 11th Annual Time to Shine staff awards. Silas Nicholls, Chief Executive, said:- "We want to share patients' and the public's pride in our staff by seeing them nominated in the People's Health Hero Award. It's a great opportunity for individuals or families to show their appreciation to a staff member or team who are a jewel in the Trust. They will have shown drive, enthusiasm or good sense of humour, inspiring those around them, especially in times of difficulty or stress."

Nominations for the People's Health Hero Award are open until Friday, 12 July 219. Any member of staff or team, in any role, is eligible for a nomination providing they have worked Southport Hospital, Ormskirk Hospital or other services the Trust provides over the past 12 months. Nominations can be made from the Trust's website or in writing to the Chief Executive at:- Southport and Formby District General Hospital, Town Lane, Kew, Southport, PR8 6PN.  The Time to Awards will be presented at Formby Hall Golf Club and Spa, on Friday, 11 October 2019.

Official opening of Saughall Massie Community Fire Station

MERSEYSIDE Fire and Rescue Service's newest Fire Station was officially opened this week by Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Tony Smith. The doors of Saughall Massie Community Fire Station; which became operational, on 27 March 2019; were opened to local Councillors and dignitaries this week as part of the official opening ceremony. It followed a lengthy process aimed at delivering the best possible response times to the communities of West Wirral, whilst ensuring the single storey, 2 bay Fire Station; built by Wates Construction; was sympathetic to the conservation area and neighbouring properties.  Designed to blend in the local landscape, features of the Fire Station include a green sedum roof, soft landscaping and bird and bat boxes to support biodiversity.

Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan said:- "Most people will be aware of the lengthy process that we have undergone in the development of Saughall Massie Community Fire Station. We understand that the local community and Councillors originally had concerns about the chosen location, but we hope that now the station is fully operational, they can see that we have worked assiduously with Wates to ensure it fits seamlessly into its surroundings. Whilst we would always seek to avoid closing Fire Stations, the merging of West Kirby and Upton Fire Stations was the most viable operational option given the level of cuts we have had to manage over recent times. The location of Saughall Massie Community Fire Station means we are able to achieve the best possible response times to the communities of West Wirral, protecting the safety of the communities we serve has driven the decisions we have made. This development would not have been possible had it not been for Wates Construction, they have been exceptional and I look forward to working with them again on the development of our new St Helens Community Fire Station."

Attendees of Monday's event were welcomed by Chair of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr Les Byrom, and Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan. They were then given a brief overview of the development process by Gavin Davis, Construction Director of Wates Construction.

Guests were then taken to the Fire Station's rear yard where they were given a drill demonstration by firefighters from White Watch, including the use of the Station's collapsible training tower; the only 1 in the UK.

Chair of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Authority, Cllr Les Byrom, added:- "It was fantastic to have Saughall Massie Community Fire Station officially opened by the Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Tony Smith. This Fire Station is state of the art and is equipped with the facilities that our firefighters, and the community they serve, rightly deserve. The official opening has been the culmination of a length consultation process and it is a pleasure to see the outcome."

Paul Dodsworth, Managing Director of Wates Construction North, commented:- "We have worked closely with our client to create a state of the art facility that will enhance the high standards delivered by Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service. I am extremely proud of the work delivered by the team on site, the quality of their work and their continued efforts to positively impact the local community."

A community open day will be held in the near future.