• NHS Wirral
• Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Merseyside Police/Community Safety
• Fire Service
• Older Peoples Parliament

NHS Wirral:

Kathy Doran said that a Report was available in the area co-ordinators report and that she would answer any questions.  No questions were asked.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation:

Russell Favager reported that the he would like to highlight some of the information in the area co-ordinators report, which include the money being invested, in a dedicated Women and Children’s Hospital at Arrowe Park, the installation of a second MRI Scanner and the news that the Renal Dialysis Unit has become the first unit of its kind in the country to become an accredited Practice Development Unit for delivering clinical excellence. He reported that, over the winter months, there has been extra work for the people who staff the hospitals, due to flu etc. He apologized that David Steel could not be present, but that he could be contacted if there are any queries.

Q. Ray Squires – can you say Arrowe Park is clear of Novo Virus?

A. Russell Favager – I cannot say it is clear, because there are people walking round with it, but we are trying to get anyone with it into isolation.  Last night, there were no closed wards.

Q. Sue Proudlove – why have the car parking charges gone to £2.50?

A. Russell Favager – half and free and half you have to pay for.  There has been no increase since 2006, and the cost of maintaining the lighting and the running of this, the repairs, the money to pay for the security etc. has to be found, otherwise direct patient expenditure would be reduced to pay for these services.  As I said, there are 50% of spaces which are free.

Q. where are they?

A. Russell Favager – drive up towards A and E, and I apologize if a barrier has been put there, but I do not know if they have now installed one.

Q. the parking is a nightmare.  The barrier is there to control a congestion problem and stop people driving round and round.

Cllr. Wilkins – there is an exemption scheme if you have to visit regularly over a long period of time, and a serious illness.

Merseyside Police:

Steve Hall reported that Merseyside have made a marked reduction in the crime and anti-social behaviour.  It is always more about behaviour over Christmas. 

Without being alarmist, we are aware there has been an increase of burglaries, and thefts from motor vehicles.  I should like to send out a questionnaire, and ask people “Are you leaving your house not very well protected?” as we have reason to believe that these who walk round try doors of houses and cars, and they tell us that the amount they find open is alarming.  DO NOT leave keys in the porch or the hallway.

Q. Is a visible alarm a deterrent?

A. Steve Hall – one is – exterior lighting, particularly if it has a sensor.

Q. to locate information on Police statistics in Wirral seems very difficult to find.

A. Steve Hall –you can information on-line on www.merseyside.police.uk  It will also give you a report of work that the Police have done,

Q. Ray Squire – Are you able to tell us whether they were local people who were arrested?

A. Steve Hall – mostly, they live in the Bromborough area, and you can circulate that.

Jim Thompson commented Steve Hall is claiming the Police have done all this, but we have been of assistance. The basic message is – the Police and the Council colleagues work as a team. Wirral was, is and will continue to be a very safe place to live.  Heswall, Irby, Pensby, West Kirby, Caldy and Barnston have always been a safe place to live.  The number of instances of crime has decreased. 

Cllr. Rowlands – I agree with everything Jim said.  We are in a very safe place to live.  One thing I should like to pass on to you is in the Council Budget that will be agreed next week, there is provision for CCTV to be manned at night, as it has only been manned in the daytime previously.

Steve Hall – as residents of each Ward, you can have your say at meetings, and anyone can come along.  At one time, they were held quarterly, but the Chief Constable has made this new arrangement, and this will be out in a monthly Newsletter. 

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service:

Myles Platt reported that their Report is one Page 12, but he would answer any questions the audience might wish to ask.  He said the Service had one fatality, since the middle of 2009, and that was a gentleman, aged 89, who lived with his wife in a protected environment.

Despite the financial challenges, the Service is planning to carry out 20,000 domestic fire checks, and you are all entitled to have free smoke detectors.  It is proposed to build seven new Fire Stations.  One will be in Birkenhead, and we are working with the Council on that, on the site of the existing Fire Station.

A lady, who said that she wears a deaf aid, said that she cannot hear any smoke alarms, and the Fire Service have been marvellous, and they have put in a loud smoke alarm.  She said that she wished to compliment the Service for all their work and kindness. Myles Platt replied, thanking her, but said that it is not just the Fire and Rescue Service – it is also the Council.

Cllr. McCubbin thanked everyone for attending, and said that the next Area Forum will be held in Heswall (venue to be agreed), and the date is 22nd June 2011.