Rutherford Health to start treating patients at its new Centre in Liverpool

RUTHERFORD Health has announced that it has commenced treating patients at the new Rutherford Cancer Centre North West, in Liverpool. The Centre has been approved by the Care Quality Commission to initially offer patients Systemic Anti Cancer Therapy (SACT) services which includes chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies symptom control, blood tests, oncology nurse consultation and supportive therapies. The Centre will also offer MRI diagnostic services. The facility in the Knowledge Quarter in Paddington Village will eventually offer comprehensive cancer services with plans to expand services later this year to include radiotherapy, MR Linac, mammography and ultrasound with high energy proton beam therapy coming online early, in 2021. The Liverpool Centre will be the 1st in the UK to use an MR Linac machine, which combines an MRI scanner and a linear accelerator, manufactured by Elekta. This delivers targeted radiotherapy that can treat hard to reach tumours. The Centre is the fourth in the Rutherford Health network of Centres. Services at the Rutherford Cancer Centre North West will be accessible to private patients under medical insurance, self pay patients and to NHS patients where NHS contracts are in place. Mike Moran, CEO of Rutherford Health, said:- "As a son of Liverpool, I am very proud that we are now in a position to start treating cancer patients in the City and the North West. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on cancer care services across the UK and we believe that this Centre will be an important development in the fight against cancer. The Centre is the latest in our state of the art network of Rutherford Cancer Centres. We are delighted with the role that we continue to play in advancing cancer care in the UK especially when it comes to precision radiotherapy. Our goal is to ensure cancer patients throughout the UK can easily access the most advanced treatments without having to travel long distances or even abroad."

Fire Brigades Union responds to Bolton fire report

THE Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has responded to the official report into the Bolton fire, calling it a "shocking reminder" of the state of UK building safety and the importance of properly funded fire and rescue services. The FBU welcomes the Mayor of Greater Manchester's commitment that he will write to the Home Secretary demanding an end to fire service cuts. But the union has reminded Andy Burnham that six fire engines were cut from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service just 6 weeks before the fire, which must be restored:- "for the sake of public safety." The FBU wrote to the Prime Minister and devolved legislatures in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland demanding a moratorium on fire cuts back in May 2020. Steve Wiswell, FBU Greater Manchester brigade secretary, said:- "This fire was a shocking reminder of the appalling state of building safety in the UK and the vital importance of properly funded and resourced fire and rescue services. Firefighters responded bravely in difficult circumstances, but years of cuts and Government complacency over building safety; even after Grenfell; left them exposed that night. The Mayor is right to say the report stretched Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service 'to the very limit' and we welcome his plea to the Home Secretary to finally bring an end to fire cuts. But we should be clear that 6 fire engines were cut in Greater Manchester just six weeks before the fire due to the Tory Government slashing fire funding; and Andy Burnham should have stepped in to stop them. They must now be restored for the sake of public safety."

Sefton artists exhibition is open in Southport

"THE Sefton Artists exhibition and sale opens today at Wayfarers Arcade. It is in a fantastic location in the heart of Southport. We have different Local artists displaying their work so there is sure to be something for everyone! Come and see for yourself. We are open until the 19 August 2020, from 10am to 4pm, on:- Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We are Covid compliant so please wear a mask, sanitise & follow the 1 way system. Look forward to seeing you!"  Sefton Artists.

Liverpool's Lifestyle Leisure Centres are back

3 of Liverpool's Leisure Centres are getting ready to open their doors to welcome members back following the Coronavirus lockdown.  From Monday, 3 August 2020, the Council backed Lifestyle Leisure Centres will be back in business as part of a phased return. Liverpool City Council's network of 14 Leisure Centres closed when the Coronavirus lockdown began on Monday, 16 March 2020. The move comes at the same time as national public health advice which suggests that a healthy, active lifestyle and weight loss could help to build resilience against Covid-19.

Lifestyles Operations Manager Mark Lancaster said:- "We have chosen to open the initial Leisure Centres because the layouts made them the quickest and easiest to adapt to the new conditions. We have also had to enlist staff from the other Leisure Centres to support us at these 3 venues to help accommodate the extra cleaning and class supervision. Our staff have undergone extensive training during the lockdown and the safety of both our customers and colleagues remains our top priority."

Liverpool Aquatics Centre in Wavertree, Garston Leisure Centre and Alsop Leisure Centre in Walton are the 1st 3 to re-open following extensive modifications and staff training to ensure the venues are Covid Secure. Group fitness classes will also begin at 1 of LCC partner School sites Cardinal Heenan Leisure Centre, West Derby, on the same day. The Centres have been chosen because they have layouts which staff have been able to quickly adapt to new social distancing measures. Staff from the Centres that remain closed will be drafted in to support the opening. Other Centres will re-open following the success of the 1st Phase.

Gym sessions and coached classes will start at these venues on 3 August 2020, with a planned re-opening of swimming pools a week later, on Monday, 10 August 2020. Sports courts and pitches at the 3 venues will remain closed for the time being. Leisure Centre members will have to book online before turning up to a venue. Each member can spend up to 90 minutes in the gym or an hour in the pool. Numbers in group exercise sessions will be restricted to ensure that social distancing can be observed. Members will be expected to queue to enter a Leisure Centre and 1 way systems have been introduced throughout. Hand sanitisers will be available and equipment will be cleaned after every session. Face masks will not be required, but customers and staff are welcome to wear them for personal re-assurance. Toilets will be open, but customers will be requested to attend:- "ready for exercise" for dry side activities as dry side changing will remain closed for now. Customers for wet side activities will be expected to arrive:- "beach ready" with costumes already underneath clothes, 1 to 1 personal training sessions will be available at the Aquatics Centre. Memberships for Lifestyles were frozen when lockdown began and once the Leisure Centres re-open they will remain frozen for the month of August 2020. However, fees will be reduced by 50% and re-instated, from Tuesday, 1 September 2020, to reflect the fact that Lifestyles is not offering a full service.  You can find out more about Lifestyles Leisure Centres, including how to book sessions at:- Liverpool.Gov.UK/Lifestyles.

During the lockdown, Lifestyles surveyed its 10,000 members about returning to the Centres.  More than ½ of those who responded (57%) said they would be willing to return immediately. Some 71% said they would be willing to use a different club, with 84% saying they would be willing to book a time slot for a chosen activity.

Liverpool City Council's Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events, Cllr Wendy Simon, said:- "We have listened to our lifestyle members during the lockdown and acted upon what they have told us. We know that so many of you value the importance of regular physical exercise and are keen to return to your favourite activity. We also know that the vast majority of our members view cleanliness and other safety measures as extremely important. It is for both of these reasons that we must get the re-opening of our Leisure Centres right the 1st time. With the School summer holidays upon us we know how important these facilities are to our communities. Our staff are working hard to make sure we can re-open safely and we will be asking for co-operation from our members as well. Please abide by the rules, stay safe and bear with us. We look forward to welcoming our members back on Monday, 3 August 2020."