NHS trust in
search for new chair...
SOUTHPORT and Ormskirk
Hospital NHS Trust has begun the search for a new chair of its
Board. The 8 year stewardship of Sir Ron Watson CBE, as Chair,
ends in October 2014.
Chief Executive Jonathan Parry said:- "Since 2006 Sir Ron has
helped steer the Trust through very significant change in the NHS,
and we are grateful for his counsel and leadership during this
time."
The process to recruit Sir Ron's successor is being coordinated by
the NHS Trust Development Authority which oversees performance of
NHS trusts aspiring to be a foundation trust.
The Chair provides leadership within the Trust, working with NHS and
other partners and local leaders, championing and responding to the
wishes and aspirations of patients and the diverse communities the
Trust serves.
Full details about the post and how to apply can be found on the
Trust Development Authority website. Applications close at 11am on 1
July 2014. The proposed start date for the new Chair is 1 November
2014.
Sir Ron said:- "I have been delighted to work for local people
as Chair and represent their views with my other non-executive
colleagues. It has also been a pleasure to regularly see at
1st hand the professionalism and unstinting dedication of our staff.
I am disappointed we have as yet been unable to achieve our goal of
becoming a foundation trust but, first the upheavals of major NHS
reorganisation and now the need for a Chief Inspector of Hospitals
inspection, have significantly slowed the applications of most
aspirant foundation trusts. Nonetheless the Trust has made
considerable progress improving the quality of the care we provide,
stabilising our finances, and achieving national NHS performance
standards."
Did you know?
Sir Ron has considerable experience in former NHS organisations
including:- Southport and Formby Health Authority, Sefton Health
Authority, Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority, where
he was Vice Chair, and as Chair of Cheshire West Primary Care Trust.
He lives in Birkdale, Southport, and is married with 2 children.
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A Handy Scheme –
And It's Free!
THERE is good news for
Liverpool residents looking for odd jobs to be carried out at their
homes. The city's popular handyperson's service will now be
free and it is being extended to those aged 50 and over
The scheme started in July 2013 when the City Council teamed up with
Riverside Housing and Housing Maintenance Solutions (HMS); a wholly
owned subsidiary of Liverpool Mutual Homes; to provide a citywide
Handyperson Service. It was originally available for people aged 65
and above or people with a disability.
Up to now the service has been for those aged 65 and for people with
a disability. It cost £15 per hour for labour plus the cost of
materials used but from now on householders will only have to pay
for the cost of any materials used with the labour being free of
charge.
"We've listened to our residents and found that while they
appreciate the service sometimes the cost can put them off using
it. Small jobs around the house can make a real
difference to the quality of people's lives. They can help older and
vulnerable people live safely and independently in their homes for
as long as possible so we are making the service free and extending
the age range." said Councillor Ann O'Byrne, cabinet member
for housing.
The service helps residents with small repairs and odd jobs which
they may struggle to manage such as:-
► Fitting locks, spyholes and door chains
► Replacing light bulbs, electric fuses and plugs
► Installing grab rails
► Fitting doorbells and smoke alarms
► Assembling flat pack furniture
► Unblocking sinks
► One-off garden clean ups
All the handyperson operatives are Disclosure and Barring Service
(DBS) checked and additional security measures can be agreed such as
the use of passwords to enable the customer to know that the
operative calling at their house is an official employee of the
Handyperson Service.
Residents can call:- 0151 295 6102 for a chat about their needs and to
book an appointment. They will normally receive a visit from a
handyperson within 7 to 10 working days so it should be noted that the
service is neither designed nor suitable for emergency work with a
typical job being expected to take up to an hour or so.
The scheme is not means tested and is offered to all residents aged
50 and over and /or disabled in the City regardless of tenure (owner
occupiers, social housing tenants or private sector tenants). |