Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust:

Strokes

Q: What steps have you taken to improve dealing with those patients who have had strokes?

A: Have to reach a certain standard, Time in dealing with stroke patients is vital, we have a 1hr response time, and 24 hour access to the 1 hour imaging. This is 365 days a year.

Comments were made at the forum that people have waited a long time for follow-up/after care and felt this was unacceptable.

Feedback:

Margaret Shaughnessy did advise the forum that an audit is done on every patient and is reported to the national stroke Association, WUTHT has monthly meeting’s and weekly team meetings, also re-evaluate this service on a regular basis.

Margaret Shaughnessy also advised the forum that the trust welcomes and recommends patient feedback about patient journey’s as it helps shape and improve services.  Generally services and care of patients is very good at the hospitals.

Hospital Issues:

Q: Couldn’t get a wheelchair for her husband

A: Staff Reception is open until 10pm and wheelchairs should have been available

Q: If ill in week no problem, if ill at weekend it is a nightmare, what efforts are you making to improve care and attention especially at the weekends.

A: Directors/Associates are looking at working patterns of staff at all hospitals.  Hospital is committed to working 24/7 but working patterns of staff are being reviewed.

Cancelling of Appointments:

Councillor Eddie Boult wanted to raise an issue about cancelling appointments of patients, waiting for a major operation, then re-scheduled and then cancelled further by consultant.  The operation was then put back by 10 weeks, felt frustrated and also concerned to have to wait this length of time.

Margaret Shaughnessy responded - all patients are categorised and consultants will look at patients needs and put them in order of urgency and need.

Improvements to health services:

Margaret Shaughnessy informed the forum that management and clinical staff are working together to improve health services, address issues etc, The Trust is open and honest and we are going through some major changes and difficult times.  Management are active on the ground, we have delivered a number of open days, we take issues to the chair of the organisation, and management have been addressing all issues raised.

Comments made from the floor:

• Concerns about the Vascular Services and where this service should be
• Separate Rooms for geriatric/older patients

Margaret Shaughnessy said there are a limited number of rooms to offer at busy times as their treatment is the most important.  Trust is working towards eliminating mixed wards and they are committed to dignity in the future.

Merseyside Police:

Key Points:

• Burglaries in the local area - CCTV footage identified the culprit and he was arrested - no further burglaries have taken place
• Cars stolen in the local area – following intelligence received a number of boys fitting the description were arrested.
• Railway Station CCTV – identified the boys who had stolen laptops, they were from the Liverpool area.
• Advised residents to secure all doors at home, not to leave keys in back of door, and to lock properly and turn the key and remove keys from the lock.
• Advised car owners not to leave valuables in car, or anything on show even if not of value. Thieves are opportunists.
• Bicycle owners, ensure you record the serial number and keep for future reference, in case it is stolen.
• Sheds have been a target of burglaries recently, ensure you secure these as well as your home, shed alarms cost around £6.00.
• Hilbre Island – Police are monitoring the area as well as Community Safety Team.
• Merseyside Police officers working in partnership with Transport Police to address issues on the Wirral Lines.

Community Safety:

Key Points:

• Dog Fouling Enforcement Officers now in place, working throughout the Borough
• 3 fines issued up to now in local area and offenders will be prosecuted

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service:

Comment: Caution/warning having mirror’s near windows could have caused a fire.  It acts like a magnifying glass!

Action: Fire Service recommend all homes to have fire alarms/smoke detectors, and these are fitted free by phoning the fire service free phone number 0800 731 5958.

General Questions:

Aldi:

On-going issues/concerns of the site, Council and Aldi are working together to tidy up this site