Heatherwood Hospital
July to December 1990

Health Council Rejects Transfer

Proposals to transfer maternity services from Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital have been unanimously rejected by a health watchdog.
Members of the Community Health Council voted against the controversial proposals for maternity services and the special care baby unit at their July meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
This decision takes the fate of hospital services at Heatherwood a step closer to Health Secretary Kenneth Clarke.
If East Berkshire District Health Authority fails to abandon the proposals and the CHC sticks to its guns. a final decision will be left with him.
Outlining the CHC's opposition to the proposals, chairman Brian Rockell said: "Much has been said about journey times from Bracknell in the south to Slough in the north-by vehicle it can take an hour or more. "We do not accept that Wexham Park could cope with the additional work brought to it."
He cited the views of the health secretary who has said maternity services should be located as locally as possibly.
The strength of the views expressed from a wide range of bodies during our consultation, which have been unanimous, have cemented our belief that the proposal will disadvantage the people of Bracknell," he said.
More than 30 local mums lobbied the Heatherwood meeting and called on health chiefs to abandon the proposals.
Diana Shuttle, chairman of Ascot and district branch of the National Childbirth Trust said: "It does not make sense to take people out to the far side of Slough the majority will not go."
She also fears the loss of services could have a knock on effect on paediatric services. "Children get ill very quickly. One minute they are all right and the next they are not. We need a hospital down the road," she added.
During the meeting Jane Coussons who represents the CHC on the maternity services liaison committee said hospital consultants across the district were opposed to the transfer plans.
She said: "Two very good units will be virtually destroyed to provide one over crowded unit with the loss of facilities."
Members of the CHC fear that paediatrics would be the next service to face health service cuts. The CHC's comments will be considered by the health authority in September.
Extract Bracknell Times 05/07/1990

 

Bonanza for Hospital

Heatherwood Hospital was presented with a £1,500 cheque from sixth-formers at the Licensed Victuallers' School, Ascot.
The money will go towards the support of Ward 2 the children's ward by renewing or replacing equipment such as electronic scales.
Staff Nurse Rhiannon Williams and Auxiliary Nurse Louisa McIlroy came into the school for an end of term assembly, to receive a cheque for £1500 of the money, from head girl Reem Zahran and head boy Paul Speedie.
Events included a sixth-form dinner, a twelve hour sponsored games event, concerts and revues.
In all, £1,700 was raised, and will be given to the hospital.
Extract Ascot Bracknell Times 26/07/1990

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo captioned:Our picture shows, left to right, Reem Zahran, Louisa McIlroy, Rhiannon Williams, Paul Speedie, and Gordon Klimes.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Health Protesters Slam New Authority

Health campaigners fighting to keep maternity services at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital have slammed the make-up of East Berkshire's new health authority.
They say it is made up of "political appointees." And they have pointed out that none of the six non-executive members of the new health authority, which meets for the first time on September 19, are from Bracknell.
The Save Heatherwood Campaign is calling on health bosses to abandon their controversial proposals to move maternity services to Wexham Park in Slough.
Heatherwood union representative John McDougall said the new members were "political appointees" who had been introduced to enforce party political policies and reduce health care.
He said: "They have got to face the fact Bracknell is the second highest growth area in England and Wales, with an 18 per cent growth rate."
Mr McDougall claimed these figures were 10 per cent ahead of health authority forecasts.
The GMB union representative claimed Heatherwood needed to expand to support this growth in population. "It is wholly important to the community that Heatherwood stays. "It has got to have accident and emergency and trauma cases coming in. It is also about time funds were supplied for a high dependency unit for road trauma cases. "Bracknell is the second largest growth area in England and Wales," he said.
Chairman of the Save Heatherwood Campaign, Paul Timperley, said: "I am extremely disappointed with the new way the health authority is structured under the government health reforms. "I am particularly disappointed as well there is no one from Bracknell. I am well aware they are political appointees."
Mr Timperley referred to the reassuring comments of the new health authority chairman, Richard Eassie, when his appointment was announced in early August.
The Sunninghill businessman said: "My career and the businesses I have built up have all been concerned with customers looking after them, finding out what they want, and filling those needs. "The health service is moving more in this direction, with more concern for the patient as an individual. Mr Timperley said the new health authority had only one option to abandon its proposals to transfer services to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough.
Andrew Moss, spokesman for the Oxford Regional Health Authority, said: "Broadly speaking members are chosen for their experience, skills and knowledge not necessarily of the health service.
"What they are not is representative of any particular locality or organisations." The six non-executive members of the health authority will sit alongside the general manager, David Treloar, and the finance director, Chris Wren.
A further three executive members of the health authority could be appointed if recommended by Mr Treloar. The previous health authority was made up of people representing a variety of groups and organisations across East Berkshire.
Among the Bracknell representatives were deputy borough mayor Bill Wreglesworth and county councillor Arthur Thomson.
Extract Bracknell Times 30/08/1990

 

Cartoon Capers in Bracknell

Children were thrilled to meet their favourite cartoon characters Tom and Jerry at a party laid on for them in Bracknell.
The cartoon cat and mouse duo celebrated their 50th anniversary by visiting the children's party at The Old Manor pub and restaurant in Bracknell town centre.
Ten youngsters just discharged from Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot were also invited to join the party organised for the children of Berni restaurant staff.
Berni executive Wendy Walker said: "Kids need to have a little bit of a boost now and again. It is nice to feel that someone is doing something just for you."
Voted
As the children slurped on their complimentary Cokes and tucked into free meals Tom and Jerry came round to shake hands.
Tom and Jerry were voted best loved characters in a nationwide survey carried out by Berni Restaurants.
They proved more popular than Winnie the Pooh and the Mr Men and as a result the restaurant chose the pair for the theme of its children's menu.
Now under 13's eat free when accompanied by an adult during lunch times and early evenings at The Old Manor restaurant.
Extract Bracknell Times 06/09/1990

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The picture showed Tom &Jerry Mingling with the Children.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photos here.

 

Anger At Smoking Ban

Angry staff at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital are fuming at plans to ban smoking on the site from the beginning of next year.
They are calling on health bosses to ditch the controversial move, which will even stop people lighting up in the hospital grounds.
Union leaders are consulting staff throughout East Berkshire in a bid to put up a united front against the ban. John McDougall, representative for the General Municipal and Boilermakers Union and the district joint Trade Union committee, said the GMB had already held branch meetings throughout East Berkshire. He said: "There is total resentment against the ban even non-smokers are saying it is wrong.
"The health authority has not provided counselling or therapy to help staff.
"We understand they should promote health but think they have got to be realistic." Mr McDougall said the ban would exacerbate recruitment difficulties.
Phil Jacques, spokesman for the health authority, said: "The dangers of passive smoking are now far more understood than ever before.
"Any responsible employer has to look very carefully at how their employees health is being endangered at work." Mr Jacques said it was totally irresponsible for bosses to allow people to work in an atmosphere where there was smoke.
He also pointed out the negative effects of smoke on patients in hospital with smoking-related illnesses.
He said: "We are at a stage where we have to see a total ban. There is a feeling that we are in line with what a lot of responsible employers are doing.
"It makes life a lot easier if there is a blanket ban. There are no ifs and buts if staff get caught they face disciplinary action."
Mr Jacques also highlighted the enormous fire risks in hospitals.
Extract Bracknell Times 13/09/1990

 

Words Which Could Save Heatherwood Hospital

Many people should have by now received a glossy booklet from the Government entitled "The Reforms And You". Were you as surprised as me to see on page 18 the question "Will you still have a choice where to have your baby?" The answer given is "YES" and gives details about how you will decide with your GP and midwife where to have your baby.
Were you also as surprised as me to see an article in the local press announcing that the Government have appointed a Mr Richard Eassie as the new chairman of East Berks Health Authority who in an accompanying interview is quoted as saying "My career and the businesses I have built up have all been concerned with customers looking after them. finding out what they want, and filling those needs. The Health Service is moving more in this direction with more concern for the patient as an individual."
Great stuff you all say and with over 70,000 "Individuals" having signed the now famous Heatherwood petition saying what they want then at least the new Chairman's job should have been made easier. I'm an eternal optimist and when Her Majesty's Government deliver me a document which indicates they want to keep Heatherwood's Services and the newly appointed Chairman of the Health Authority who will be making their important decision this September implying the same then my hopes are lifted.
With this sort of backing we can't lose. Can we? Paul Timperley, Oakdale, Crown Wood, Bracknell, Berks.
Extract Bracknell Times 13/09/1990

 

Live It Up With A Luxury NHS Break

By Dawn Doherty How does this sound for the five star treatment? A room complete with private bathroom, colour TV. bedside telephone, personal stereo and gourmet meals with fine wines. But you won't need to book into a luxury hotel just spend the night in an NHS hospital.
These are just some of the extras pampered patients could enjoy if they have the money to pay.
Junior health minister Stephen Dorrell wants NHS hospitals to provide more "hotel" services and this week launched a new booklet showing health authorities how. If health managers in Berkshire take up the challenge, profits could be ploughed back into patient care.
The new proposals mean patients could get well in style with: Single rooms with their own bathroom, bedside telephone and television, and computer games. Posh nosh' menus with wine list and, for the ladies, a hairdresser. A secretarial service for executives to carry on their business.
Patients at the private BUPA Dunedin Hospital in Reading already enjoy many of the comforts Mr Dorrell wants in NHS hospitals.
A single room at Dunedin with its own bathroom, telephone and TV costs £181 a day, including an extensive a la carte menu. Berkshire health bosses have given a cautious reaction to the Government's proposals. John Neate, general manager at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, said: "I see nothing wrong in principal with making provision for extra services, provided that the basic services we provide to all our NHS patients are of a sufficient standard."
But former health authority member Pete Ruhemann said: "What these proposals are aimed at is allowing people to have all the benefits of private health care on the cheap.
"People will be paying only for the luxuries and frills, but they will be getting NHS beds and receiving NHS standard medical care."
A la carte menu
The a la carte menu for patients at the BUPA Dunedin Hospital has:
STARTERS: Selection of fruit juices; Florida cocktail; melon cocktail; melon boat; fresh grapefruit; beef or chicken consomme; pate maison; savoury tomatoes.
ENTREES: Fillet steak served with mushrooms and tomato; poached salmon steak; fillet of plaice or haddock; roast breast of chicken; beef bourguignonne; omelettes with a filling of your choice. All dishes served with vegetables of the day or side salad A selection of desserts is available.
Extract Evening Post 14/09/1990

 

Health Chief Welcomes Reforms

East Berkshire health chiefs have welcomed proposed reforms to the NHS which could see patients enjoying manicures and watching in house movies.
The reforms to the National Health Service were proposed by junior health minister Stephen Dorrell, when he launched a booklet advising health authorities on how to introduce "hotel" service within the NHS.
Mr Dorrell claimed surveys showed that many patients were willing to pay for extra services like better food and private bathrooms, with proceeds being ploughed back into patient care.
"Extension of patient choice is one of the cornerstones of the NHS reforms," said Mr Dorrell. "There is no reason on earth why the provision of these extra comforts should not be widespread within the NHS to the benefit of both the patients and the service."
Alan Ward, a member of East Berkshire Health Authority and leader of Bracknell Forest Borough Council, said: "As a person who has been a National Health Service patient, I would be happy to be offered additional services.
"As long as this does not affect the basic service provided there would not be a problem.
"I would not like to see NHS patients having to pay to ensure a decent meal, but if people want to eat caviar and pay for it I don't see why they shouldn't."
John Neate, general manager at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital, said: "I see nothing wrong in principle with making provisions for extra services, provided that the basic services we provide to all our NHS patients are of sufficient standard."
Extract Bracknell Times 20/09/1990

 

Hospital Still Thinking Of Break With Authority

Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital is still considering managing its own budget and turning the unit into a trust. The move would give control of budgets and local pay negotiations to the present management structure and move control out of district hands.
But the patient watchdog. the Community Health Council, claim trust status would not resolve the present issue of unit closures. It would take a minimum of two years change accountability from the to East Berkshire Health Authority to Heatherwood's own management team.
Jacqueline Clark, Heatherwood Hospital assistant general manager, confirmed staff and consultants were being sounded out.
She said: "One of the advantages would be that the units could go out and raise private capital. It also frees hospitals from constraints they now face.
"The unit would stay within the NHS but break with the district health authority. We have spoken to staff and there is quite a differing degree of members in favour."
But she also pointed out the risks of adopting trust status. "We would have to go out and market services for one. There are a lot of down sides and a lot more risks," she said.
Extract Bracknell Times 20/09/1990

 

Post Cash Helps Buy Lifesaving Machine

Lifesaving baby care equipment has been bought for Heatherwood Hospital with money raised by The Post. The charity Bliss, Baby Life Support Systems, will give the Ascot hospital a £1,300 phototherapy unit for the treatment of jaundice in premature babies.
It has been bought with cash raised by an auction at The Post's 25th birthday ball and should arrive in three weeks.
Bliss director Judy Kay said it was the first part of an appeal to raise £5,000 for equipment. John Neate, general manager of the hospital, said: "We very much appreciate the active support of a number of organisations and individuals who enable us to provide the highest standard equipment.
"We are vey grateful for this donation." He said the new would replace existing equipment.
Extract Evening Post 25/09/1990

 

Union Fear Over New Hospital Status

EXCLUSIVE By Jim Stevens
Union leaders at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital fear proposals to opt out of direct health authority control could spell disaster for staff.
Documents leaked exclusively to the TIMES show staff rights and conditions of service are under threat if hospitals adopt self-governing status.
Self-management will take nationwide negotiation rights away from the union, effectively turning pay bargaining into a local issue.
Heatherwood union leaders have pledged to continue acting as representatives of staff.
And they have not ruled out the possibility of industrial action if union recognition is withdrawn.
A confidential report from the Trent Regional Health Authority for general managers of self-governing hospital trusts says the withdrawal of staff bargaining rights could ease problems.
And papers from North West Thames Regional Health Authority indicate hospital bosses would prefer a system where pay rises depended on performance.
John McDougall, representative for the General and Municipal Boilermakers Union at Heatherwood, did not rule out the possibility of industrial action, but said it would depend on each unit's circumstances.
He said: "Staff will be employed on such terms the trust sees fit.
"We feel this is fundamentally taking away all the rights we have built up over the years. They are just being thrown out of the window.
"Mr McDougall, who is also Heatherwood representative on the district joint trade union committee, slammed the secret discussions about pay and conditions of service.
"There will be no rights or representation for the staff, which is certainly going back to Victorian values.
"We are totally opposed to this. We feel we have worked very closely with management for many years and we should have friendly and open discussions to improve conditions of service." he said.
Heatherwood bosses are looking into the pros and cons of opting out of local health authority control but there is no clear indication when a decision will be made.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 27/09/1990

 

Union Fights Plan to Ban Smoking

Union leaders at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital are considering launching a petition against plans to ban smoking on the site from January.
Health bosses are backing a blanket ban on smoking at all hospital sites in East Berkshire from the beginning of the year. But union leaders claim staff who smoke will need counselling and therapy to help wean them off nicotine at work.
They also fear hardened smokers will be tempted to sneak away for a quick drag, raising the risk of fire if they are interrupted and hurriedly ditch a cigarette.
John McDougall, representative for the General Municipal and Boilermakers Union and the district joint Trade Union committee said: "This is supposed to a caring health authority but they are not caring for their staff.
Mr McDougall said staff in every unit should be provided with an area where they can smoke.
After meeting with staff at Heatherwood last week he said the unions were considering launching a petition against the blanket ban.
But he confirmed no definite decision will be made before staff at all hospital sites in East Berkshire have been consulted.
The health authority has made it clear staff will face disciplinary action if they are caught lighting-up on site.
Bosses say their non-smoking staff should be protected from passive smoking.
And they claim they are in line with what responsible employers are doing by introducing the ban.
In addition, they have highlighted the harm caused by smoke to patients in hospital suffering from smoking related illnesses and the enormous fire risks in hospitals.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 27/09/1990

 

Stand Up And Be Counted MP Told

By Simon Miller
East Berkshire MP Andrew MacKay is being called on to support residents and help tackle the health authority's cash crisis.
Keith Dibble.Labour's East Berkshire prospective parliamentary candidate, lays the blame for the crisis squarely on the Government and Mr MacKay for backing its policies.
He also warned the health authority's present £600,000 deficit may be used as a "backdoor excuse" to axe units at Heatherwood Hospital.
But Mr MacKay has roundly attacked Mr Dibble for "scare mongering" and says the health budget issue is a "storm in a teacup Mr Dibble said: The fact the authority is out by £600,000 could now be used as a backdoor excuse to force through unit closures at Heatherwood.
"The time has come for Mr MacKay to make a stand and back either constituents wishes or those of the Tory Party."
The Ascot hospital is the centre of controversy over possible transfer of its maternity and special baby care units. Michael Bentley, of the Save Heatherwood Campaign, also challenged Mr MacKay to tackle the cash problem "as he has been promising for so long to do".
Mr Bentley said: "Money must be found elsewhere to cover this overspend and must not be saved by cutting any services we're in bad enough shape as it is.
" Mr MacKay said the overspend was a fraction of the total health authority budget. He said it was caused by increased recruitment and more money being traditionally spent in the first half of the year than in the second half.
The MP said: "There is no question of wards closing at Heatherwood Hospital because of money being overspent.
Mr Dibble is creating a storm in a tea cup and is scare mongering, which is quite wrong of him."
Extract Evening Post 05/10/1990

 

Shadow Minister Approaches Clarke Over Heatherwood

Cook Keeps Abreast of Debate
Shadow Health Minister Robin Cook has pledged to bring the Heatherwood debate under the national spotlight.
At last week's Labour Party conference in Blackpool Mr Cook promised to make representations to Health Secretary Kenneth Clarke over the future of the hospital.
Bracknell's prospective parliamentary Labour candidate. Keith Dibble, met with Mr Cook on Tuesday and promised to keep him abreast of changes at the Ascot hospital.
Health bosses in East Berkshire are proposing to move maternity and special baby care units from Heatherwood to Slough's Wexham Park Hospital.
Mr Dibble said: "We had a chat for about 20 minutes. He was obviously concerned about a new town without facilities and the prospect of services moving further away."
"The Labour government would consider providing new facilities in growth areas like Bracknell where facilities do not exist at present.
Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay has already promised to call an emergency adjournment debate on the floor of the House of Commons if health bosses fail to come up with a new positive set of proposals for Heatherwood.
Mr Dibble, attending his first national conference, was also introduced to Labour leader Neil Kinnock in Blackpool.
"We discussed the problems of new towns, which represents, in many ways, the best and the worst of the Thatcher era," he said.
"There is a lot of optimism in the party and a feeling we are a government in waiting. Everyone is extremely confident," he added. The Labour Party's campaigning drive in Bracknell continues this week when the new MP for Mid- Staffordshire, Sylvia Heal, visits the town.
"She is very keen to come down to Bracknell because her constituency is, in many ways, similar to East Berkshire," Mr Dibble said. Mrs Heal will be speaking at Bracknell College on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm..
Extract Bracknell Times 11/10/1990

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by three photos.
The first captioned a picture of Kenneth Clarke representations to be made.
The second captioned showed Robin Cook Asked to be Kept Informed
The third captioned Keith Dibble met Mr cook at Labour Party conference.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photos here.

 

Wonder Baby's Fresh Start

A Bracknell couple are making a fresh start after their baby won her battle for life and her dad was released from prison.
Little Elizabeth Norton, who was born after just 26 weeks, has come home from hospital, coinciding with dad Steve, just released from Reading prison after he was given a four-month sentence.
Now the family is hoping to move out of their bedsit in Enid Wood House, Bracknell, after the council agreed to rehouse them to protect Elizabeth's health.
Mum Diane Norton was just 26 weeks pregnant when baby Elizabeth decided to make an early entry into the world.
Diane feared she would lose the baby, as a child born up to 28 weeks is classed as a miscarriage.
She said: "I thought I was going to miscarry. But when she was born she opened her mouth and let out a cry.
"They said she would not be able to breath for herself and whisked her away."
Diane gave birth at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford because Heatherwood Hospital's special care baby unit was full.
Doctors told them Elizabeth had a 40 per cent chance of survival. The next day this rose to 50 per cent and as time went on Elizabeth's chances improved.
Elizabeth was 13 inches long and weighed 31b 12oz when she was born on July 25. She was put on a respirator to help her breathing and later transferred to Wexham Park Hospital, Slough and finally to Ascot's Heatherwood hospital.
Diane praised staff at all the hospitals. She said: "I am so grateful for all they have done for her." Steve was released from prison on September 28 and Elizabeth came home on October 6.
With the family reunited, they applied to the council for a new home, fearing for Elizabeth's health.
She is now 12 weeks old and weighs four pounds, eight and a half ounces.
The couple have to keep all the windows shut and the heating on in the bedsit. But they can't cook hot meals because of the fumes.
Diane said: "We are looking forward to a new life-we just want to start afresh."
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 11/10/1990

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo captioned: Reunited-Diane, Steve, and Elizabeth
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Adam McKinley's View Letters Page

I would expect the chairman of the East Berkshire Health Authority to be a dedicated advocate of the National Health Service.
The recent appointment of 55 year old Richard Eassie to the job might indeed be a political appointment, but it should not appear to be.
As a Health Service boss Richard should steer clear of political slogans and comments of a party political nature.
Mr Eassie said he remained in BUPA after his appointment as simply using his "freedom of choice." (Now where in Bournemouth did I hear that?)
He cannot "see any conflict of interest" (with his NHS job). Come now Mr Eassie, by all means join BUPA, but at least go through the motions of resigning from it in order to be seen to do your duty by public health care.
Mr Chairman says: "I use both the NHS and private medical facilities. "Competition between public and private health services is good.
"There is no contradiction because there is plenty of room for both public and private health care and there should be a greater understanding between them. "The greater the competition between the two the better they will be. "I see no virtue in having a monopoly of anything and that includes health care." Now where have we heard all that before and with monotonous regularity?
When I read Mr Eassie's comments I might have been stirred to applaud if I was one of the party faithful.
Mr Eassie is neither a politician not even a self appointed agent of a party political theory involving the NHS and BUPA. But he certainly sounds like it. After that spiel, he could be "for- given" for being a member of BUPA but he certainly will not be regarded as credible as an impartial chairman of East Berks Health Authority. Do I think he should resign?
If he does not, he can look forward to being personally blamed for every decision he takes that is to the disadvantage of the NHS, including those "reforms" initiated by Health Secretary Kenneth Clarke, which ultimately mean closing hospitals such as Heatherwood.
For whether Mr Eassie likes it or not he is very much a public servant of the type beloved and acclaimed through out the British democratic system for not publicly indulging in "choice," particularly when it topples them off the non-political fence into a party political field.
It may be a harsh old world where it is perhaps not the done thing for the chairman of Health Authorities to be a member of BUPA, but quite in order for Mr Kenneth Clarke to so indulge with a clear conscience if he desires.
For he makes the political decisions and was one of those responsible for the "freedom of choice" slogan, as well as the theory that BUPA, and others like them in competition with the NHS, is healthy for all. Unfortunately for Mr Eassie there are many millions who do not agree with Mr Clarke and just as many who do not approve of area health authority bosses echoing the great man's party political theories just to cover up likely faux pas.
If Mr Eassie does not quit he should certainly keep quiet about the joys of private health care while holding the job he does on an NHS that is struggling to survive, and where many thousands of patients in Berkshire are in the process of queueing for years for surgery.
Extract Bracknell Times 18/10/1990

 

Health Authority to Discuss Plans for Heatherwood

By Jane Lee
Transfer of maternity and baby care facilities comes under scrutiny
Controversial plans to move the maternity service and special care baby unit from Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital to Wexham Park Hospital will be discussed next month.
The plan also involves switching acute services. such as accident and emergency treatment. from Windsor's King Edward VII Hospital to Heatherwood.
The proposals will be discussed by East Berkshire Health Authority members meeting at Heatherwood on November 21. The proposals to move the maternity services and paediatrics from Heatherwood have sparked a public outcry and led to the formation of the Save Heatherwood Campaign. They have also been condemned by the health watchdog the Community Health Council.
Rumours that the King Edward VII Hospital will close after losing acute services to Heatherwood have been strongly denied by East Berkshire Health Authority Health authority spokesman Philip Jacques said it was always intended for the Windsor hospital to become a community hospital. That plan, he said, had not changed.
The November meeting is also likely to look at ways the authority can recoup the £800,000 it has already overspent this year.
Mr Jacques admitted that, because of the amount overspent, it was likely that recouping it could lead to cuts as the authority had to balance its books by April 1 next year.
He said: "We've shown in the early part of this year that we can perform operations at such a rate that we make a major dent in waiting lists." Now, because of the overspend.
Mr Jacques said the authority might have to slow that rate to balance its books.
Extract Bracknell Times 25/10/1990

 

The Weight Watchers

By Sandra Spencer
Jane's Out To Win The Battle of the Bulge
  'I refuse to believe people who say they are fat and happy," says Jane Ball. "I'm sure that inside every fat person is a thin person trying to get out." Jane should know. For Jane, of Saffron Road in Easthampstead, has suffered years of snide remarks and pointed fingers whenever she ventures out. She has lost jobs, and nearly died because of her weight.
She says: "People associate you with being dirty, and assume that you smell. They think you are stupid; that you have no intellect."
Jane could hardly be further from any of these images. And soon no one will be able to call her "fat" either. After 34 years of torment, Jane is finally receiving professional help for her eating disorder. She hopes to shed 20 stones in about 18 months and this time is confident the weight will finally stay off.
But it will take a long, long time for the mental scars of being fat to fade. She said: "Every time you go out you are insulted. People point and look at you. You become the butt of everyone's sick jokes. I get invited round to people's houses but not invited to go out with them.
"People can't accept you for the way you are. They can't see that person is hurting, and is in pain." Jane said the worst incident was when she was pregnant with her twins, now 20 months old, and went for a check-up. She said: "The doctor looked at me and said: "God woman, I can't see those babies underneath that abdominal wall".
I said to him: "Are you trying to tell me I'm fat?" And he wouldn't answer.
"My family members can't accept me the way I am and won't be seen with me. When we were young I was going out with my brother and he raced off ahead. I said: 'Wait for me'. But he wouldn't. He said he would die of embarrassment if anyone knew I was his sister."
Jane has never eaten normally, and believes the problem stems back to her childhood. She said: "I was the second youngest out of eight children. My parents owned four bars and two restaurants, and were always busy. They sent all the children to boarding school, but by the time they got to me, they couldn't afford to send another one.
"So I was always in the way but they never had any time for me. It was very lonely and painful." Jane started to eat for comfort, and out of boredom because she had no one to play with. Her parents believed "fat children are healthy children", and didn't take any action when Jane blossomed into a fat child.
She went through life believing no one loved her. "When you are big you are always second best," Jane said. To hide her feelings she ate.
Jane had several crises in her youth. Her mother died when she was 13; she was sent to boarding school the same year, and her father died when she was 19. Her way of coping was to eat.
Finally, in desperation, Jane had her teeth wired and lost quite a bit of weight. It was at this time that she met her future husband, and life looked good.
But as soon as the wires came off the problems started again. Jane says: "The problem was that there was no counselling. When the nurse took off the wires she told me to just eat normally from then on.
But what was normal? I had never eaten normally, and didn't know. "I became very insecure, and started to use laxatives." Jane went through a period of anorexia nervosa before becoming pregnant with her oldest child, Alex. But during the pregnancy her weight blossomed to 22 stone. Jane suffered from kidney problems, and nearly lost the baby. After the birth Jane's weight dropped to 15 stones immediately. proving much of the weight was fluid.
When Alex was six-months-old it was discovered Jane suffered from a rare condition called "benign intercranial retension" which means the fluid in her body doesn't disperse. She was placed on steroids, and her weight rose yet again.
Jane was told never to have any more children, but two years ago became pregnant again with twins. Much to her delight the doctors told her to go ahead with the pregnancy.
But that decision nearly cost Jane her life. Before the end of the pregnancy Jane's kidneys failed, partly because of her size.
Doctors decided to deliver the babies using caesarean section before her liver failed too.
Jane said: "The anaesthetist said to me: 'I can't guarantee I will pull you out of this operation. I suppose it was because of my weight. I lay in that bed thinking I would die. When I came round I was ecstatic. "I knew I couldn't go through pain like that again. I wanted to live to see my children grow up. In the first year of the twins' life I tried everything the Cambridge diet, slimming pills, Weight Watchers, the hip and thigh diet but I seemed incapable of dieting. I would be good until about 3pm and then the diet would collapse. I just got bigger and bigger.
"I went to my doctor, but he said he couldn't help. So I changed my GP. By this time I was gutted. But that was the first step in the right direction.
"I went to him and said: 'I feel suicidal and don't want to live. I feel a failure I've been on every diet in the world and failed. I feel so ugly."
By this time Jane weighed almost 29 stones. But the second doctor realised she needed help. The visit led to Jane having her teeth wired, and contact with Heatherwood Hospital's Eating Disorder Clinic.
Eight weeks later Jane has already lost three stones. But more importantly she's receiving counselling to study her attitude towards food. The Clinic is even sending her on an assertiveness course so that when times do get rough Jane doesn't hide her feelings and seek comfort in food.
And typically of soft-hearted Jane, she is using her diet to raise money for disabled athletes and the Heatherwood Hospital special care baby unit, which saved her premature twins.
It's taken guts for Jane to make her plight and her diet public, but she hopes her experience will help others.
Jane said: "I'm now learning to only eat when I'm hungry. I've never done that before. I know this time it will work. I want to thank the doctors and nurses who have helped me."
Extract Evening Post 26/10/1990

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The picture captioned of Jane 'Inside every fat person is a thin person trying to get out'-Jane Ball C
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Here's Just the Group for Mums-To-Be- and Dads

Report by Lynne Hardy
The National Childbirth Trust seems to have a problem with its image, In reality, this national organisation plays a key role in all the health issues which surround childbirth and offers a sensible advice service for parents.
Part of the problem appears to be attached to the name of the group with people believing the N stands for Natural instead of National.
Certainly in the local Crowthorne and District Group the idea that no one can be fulfilled unless they have gone through an 18 hour labour without pain relief is firmly quashed and the emphasis is placed on providing really useful support for parents.
Experience
New chairwoman Jackie Bidos believes strongly that the NCT can and should be a real back-up service to the NHS maternity services and that it is ideally placed in the local community to take on just such a role.
"Our aims are very important now that hospitals, health visitors and midwives are so tied to budgets and have to see, many more people, and don't have the time to give the support that a lot of women need, particularly when they come out of hospital," she says.
"These days lots of people have little experience of small babies and their own mothers often live far away," she said.
Jackie's branch offers comprehensive ante-natal classes which often appeal to couples because they are held in the evenings and allow fathers-to-be to come along.
"The NHS classes are excellent but they generally have to be held during the day. It can be difficult for someone who is working and, of course, for the father to get the time off."
But it is the post-natal support which many couples have found so helpful, with breast-feeding counsellors on hand, the advice of experienced mums, and social events.
"The role of our breast-feeding counsellors is important but at the same time we want to reassure women that they are not failures if they cannot breast-feed their babies.
It really isn't as easy and natural as lots of people make out, and there is nothing wrong in wanting to bottle-feed instead," said Jackie.
"It costs about £500 to train each teacher for the classes, but with the growth in numbers of people in the this area we find we are constantly having to refer people to other groups because there just isn't the space in some of our classes,"says Jackie.
Events
The people who teach get paid a small amount by the NCT, but otherwise organisers and helpers are entirely voluntary.
Membership is £5.50 annually and an active fund-raising programme raises the remainder of the money needed to pay for the staff training, contributions to the national organisation, and the general running of the branch.
"Most of our special events are in the summer and include such things as a Teddy Bears' picnic, duck race, coach trips and so on.
We also hold things just for parents, too, like barbecues and a beer and skittles evening which is quite popular!" adds Jackie.
The regular once-a-month meetings have speakers on a variety of subjects ranging from sleep problems in children to wine tasting.
Another project in hand is an Asthma Support Group. Several members' children suffer from asthma and some members have,found difficulties in leaving their children with babysitters because of the fear they may have an attack.
"We hope to arrange a support system so that a babysitter could phone someone immediately if there were any problems.
"A post-natal depression support group is another idea, and we are looking at a special problems register so that people can contact others who have gone through a similar problem, like cot death, premature births, etc."
Nationally the NCT acts a lobby group to improve maternity services for women-last year it produced a major study into the artificial rupture of membranes during labour and its effects on the birth process.
Hospital
But the Crowthorne branch has also been caught up in political issues, too, with a question mark still hanging over the future of maternity and paediatric services at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital.
Jackie said: "We are very concerned about the proposal to move the services to Wexham Park, but what we can do is limited.
We have been making people aware of what is proposed and urging them to make their protests known, but at the same time we don't want to alienate ourselves from the health authorities because we want to work with them in providing the best care for women."
Anyone wanting more information on the NCT in Crowthorne should contact Jackie on Crowthorne 772428.
The Camberley branch contact is Clare Freeman on Camberley 22330.
Extract Farnham & Farnborough Mail 30/10/1990

 

Beds Axed in Bid to Tackle Health Crises

By Mark Palin
Beds at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot will be axed this week as health chiefs face a massive cash crisis.
East Berkshire Health Authority spokesman Brian Mackness said more cuts could have to be made at Heatherwood to avoid a huge budget deficit.
In total, 14 acute beds will be empty this week as Heatherwood has spent £250,000 more than it should have done at this stage of the year.
Mr Mackness said: "The result of these cuts is that the rate at which we have been treating patients will have to slow down.
"We set ourselves targets at the start of the year but we have more than met them.
The problem stems from that fact that we have been able to recruit more staff than we had envisaged. "In previous years we have overspent on non-staff expenditure and underspent on staff because we have not been able to recruit. But so far this year we have filled many of our vacant posts."
He said non-urgent operations would be hit. Health chiefs will get an update of the crisis at its meeting on November 21.
The cuts follow 50 bed closures Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, also prompted by the budget crisis. Health chiefs say the authority is heading for an £800,000 deficit.
Extract Evening Post 31/10/1990

 

Adam McKinley's View Letters page

It looks as though Heatherwood is being neatly trussed and prepared for being popped into the Wexham Park "oven" at Slough.
General manager John Neate has announced that he has known since April the hospital would be deep in a cash crisis by November.
That is why he has now implemented cash-saving cuts which include 10 fewer operating theatre sessions a week; a freeze on recruitment; closure of 14 beds for medical and orthopaedic patients and a reduction of stocks held on the wards.
Mr Neate is reported as saying: "As the year has gone on we have been overspending but it has been only in the last two weeks that we had a full realisation that action had to be taken urgently."
A remarkable statement that requires no comment from me. But there are those who will demand to know why the hell some positive action was not taken last April.
Heatherwood's budget at the start of the financial year was cut by £180,000. Currently the East Berkshire Health Authority has a total budget overspend of £800,000 and there is no sign of any additional income coming from central government.
Could it be that slowly but surely those of us who feel deeply for Heatherwood are being prepared for the "easiest" way out: The great Slough merger?
Extract Wokingham Times 08/11/1990

 

Mental Patient Has Leg Severed in Train Horror

A Heatherwood Hospital patient had a leg severed after she was dragged under a moving train close to Ascot railway station early on Monday afternoon.
Surgeons later removed the other foot of Julia Haines, a voluntary patient in the mental health unit at Heatherwood.
The 33-year-old woman, from Losfield Road, Windsor, was still conscious after suffering horrific injuries just before 1pm on the railway line several hundred yards behind the hospital.
She was rushed by ambulance to St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey where she was said to be in a stable condition on Tuesday.
Delays
The driver of the track maintenance train, travelling at 20mph, only spotted the woman as she climbed over a fence. Seconds later she went under the wheels. He raised the alarm at a nearby cottage, where a woman contacted emergency services.
The resident, who wished not to be named, waited on the track with the shocked driver and the woman for help to arrive.
She said: "As far as I know, he was going very slowly, saw her climb over the fence, and the next thing he knew she was under the train."
She claimed it took an ambulance 20 minutes to arrive at the scene, only minutes walk from the hospital.
Trains were delayed for up to 90 minutes on the Waterloo/Reading mainline after the power was switched off for more than an hour.
In a statement, Heatherwood's general manager John Neate said it was believed the woman had been attempting suicide, after leaving the mental health unit.
He confirmed she had been admitted as a voluntary patient to the mental health unit on November 3.
Inquiry
He said the patient had been observed closely by nursing staff over a period of time since her admission, adding that the recent decision to reduce supervision was made because of her improved condition.
Mr Neate said an internal inquiry would be held to review the case in detail.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 15/11/1990

 

Hospital Services Are Saved

Maternity services look set to be retained at Heatherwood Hospital in a complete U-turn. Health bosses were this week proposing to keep both maternity special baby care units at the Ascot and hospital, lifting the immediate threat of closure. And health campaigners were claiming a great victory for public opinion. A £1 million cash injection has been proposed which will upgrade operating theatres, provide a new unit and fund a number of ward modifications. Members of the East Berkshire Health. Authority were being asked to abandon their original proposals to transfer the units to Wexham Park. And expected to emphasise the hospital's future as a major hospital providing casualty. maternity, gynaecology and paediatric services. This follows a massive show of public strength which united all sections of the Bracknell community, and ultimately swayed the health authority.
Health authority chief executive David Treloar said in his report to the meeting: "Operationally and in terms of medical manpower, the best solution remains to concentrate maternity and special baby care baby unit services." The health authority has opted to strike a balance, paying attention to the views of its customers, the report said.
Bosses will lay down stringent guidelines for both departments. If standards drop. services will be reviewed with a view to concentrating maternity and special baby care on one site, the report warns.
The proposals will also see Heatherwood take most in-patient general and day surgery from King Edward V11 Hospital in Windsor.
Paul Timperley, a member of the Save Heatherwood Campaign Committee, welcomed the recommendations, while expressing a number of reservations.
He said: The recommendation to hold onto the two departments is a victory for public opinion. "But again we are faced with another worrying factor, which is that the departments will always be under review.
"This puts us constantly on the alert. "We could have the same problem next year."
Heatherwood general manager John Neate said: "I am delighted. We have consistently argued that this is important in providing easy access to the substantial and fast growing population in the Bracknell and surrounding areas. East Berkshire MP Andrew MacKay said: "I have always said it could not be right for the people of Berkshire to have to trek to Wexham Park Hospital."
He said the £1m would be raised partly with money from the state and land sales.
Extract Bracknell Times 22/11/1990

 

Campaigners Still Worried Over Hospital

Health campaigners claim the decision to retain maternity services at Heatherwood Hospital is only a temporary stay of execution.
Last Wednesday East Berkshire Health Authority agreed to keep maternity, special baby care, paediatric and gynaecology at the Ascot hospital.
The U-turn came more than two years after health bosses first mooted the proposals. In making its decision the health authority stressed the impact of the recent National Health Service reforms, which allow them to place a greater value on public feeling But authority members also admitted the decision will put on financial pressure the Chief executive David Treloar said: "If we look at the issue in terms of the operational benefits and medical manpower, the best solution would be to forge ahead with getting services on one site. Whilst welcoming the decision, union leaders and members of the Save Heatherwood Campaign still fear the units are under threat.
John McDougall, union representative at Heatherwood, said: "These are delaying tactics. They are postponing the day of reckoning "I feel the future of Heatherwood is still in doubt as a general hospital and we still need to be on our guard to provide proper care for people in the south of the district." Mr McDougall said East Berkshire Health Authority was the poor relation of the Oxford region, and had experienced no real increase in its budget for ten years.
Paul Timperley, of the Save Heatherwood Campaign, also described the decision as a temporary reprieve for the hospital.
He said the decision to bring the management of Heatherwood and Wexham Park together was indicative of the gradual centralisation of the two hospitals. And Great Hollands community leader Michael Bentley said: "I am pleased they are going to keep the units here but concerned about the finances." He said: "We have heard the health authority will be getting less money in real terms. I am still very concerned about individuals being shunted around hospitals."
But Heatherwood general manager, John Neate, was full of confidence about the future.
He said: "I think we have a very good obstetric unit at Heatherwood and the fact that a decision was made today to maintain maternity services will boost staff and assist them in achieving high standards."
Mr Neate said the clear decision by the health authority would help settle the uncertainty amongst staff, over the units.
Extract Bracknell Times 29/11/1990

 

Health Budgets to Force More Cuts

Hospital budgets in East Berkshire are set to take a further tumble during the coming year, it has been revealed. And bosses Heatherwood could face more cost-cutting measures to bring their budget back into line before next April.
One option being considered is the introduction of car parking charges.
Dr Chris Wren, director of finance for East Berkshire Health Authority, revealed the depth of the financial crisis at last week's meeting of the authority.
He said: "The general indications from the region, who have already put their financial proposals to their authority, is that there will be no change to East Berk- shire in global terms. "The indications are that we will be slightly worse off than in the current year."
During the last month managers at Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospital in Slough have been forced to make cuts to wipe out an £852,000 overspend.
Fourteen beds were closed at Heatherwood, and 50 at Wexham Park.
In addition bosses imposed a staff freeze on some posts, cut down on the use of agency staff and launched a review of stock levels with a view to making one-off savings.
Mr Wren said: "Further action may be necessary to get on an even keel and give the district a good chance next year."
After last Wednesday's meeting Heatherwood general manager, John Neate, said he was conducting a careful review of resources. "It will become clear whether we need to take further action," he said.
Extract Bracknell Times 29/11/1990

 

Heatherwood Boss Quits

THE man in charge of running Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital is to quit.
John Neate has been general manager of the hospital for the past five years.
Mr Neate announced his decision to stand down after last Wednesday's meeting of the East Berkshire Health Authority, which secured the immediate future of Heatherwood's maternity unit.
Having achieved a great deal in terms of clarifying the future role of the hospital Mr Neate said he felt it was right to make the move.
He said he would not be putting his name forward for the new post as general manager of a combined unit serving both Heatherwood and Wexham Park.
Mr Neate has not revealed details of his new job.
Extract Bracknell Times 29/11/1990

 

Better use Of Local Hospitals

Dear East Berkshire resident
You may well be aware that proposals for reorganising our local hospitals have been under discussion for some time. I thought you would wish to be brought up to date with what your health authority now plan for the future.
Financial pressures, first identified 18 months ago, have brought about a need for a programme of hospital reorganisation, but we remain fortunate in East Berkshire in not having to make the considerable changes to services other health authorities are having to make to stay in budget.
Under our new plan, local hospitals will still be able to provide an excellent service to the 360 000 people who live in the district. In most respects, it will also be a better service.
Earlier this year we announced that we hoped to investigate the prospect of providing a large, modern hospital built jointly with West Berkshire Health Authority. This proposal was not without opposition, and, in the event, it did not prove possible. (Since much of its financing would have stemmed from the redevelopment of hospital land, in the current climate of plummeting land prices, such a scheme would not, anyway, now be viable.)
We next consulted your opinion about concentrating more of our services notably maternity on an expanded Wexham Park hospital, and while such a move would have many desirable medical advantages, it did not find favour with those in the south of the district for whom travel to Wexham is difficult. While this process of planning and consultation has proceeded, the financial squeeze on local hospitals has tightened further as it has for us all. We are now faced with the prospect of improving the efficiency of our existing facilities, largely through reorganisation and good à housekeeping measures, if we are to stay within this year's budget of £70 m, and get into good shape for the future.
This arrangement still allows for the introduction of some new facilities.
In the circumstances we plan first to make better use of unused and underused beds. Your local hospitals already have a good record of using medical and nursing advances to treat more patients while reducing the average length of stay. And they have the capacity to do more.
As part of this process, at King Edward VII hospital, in-patient, general surgery and day surgery services will be transferred to upgraded facilities at Heatherwood and Wexham Park.
The Windsor hospital will then take on the role of providing in-patient services for the elderly, currently at Old Windsor hospital which is to close in February.
In its new role as a community hospital, King Edward VII would also retain its out patient clinic, eye clinic, breast screening unit, audiology and day hospital for the elderly mentally ill.
In this reorganisation, Wexham will be equipped with a new £400,000 operating theatre. At Heatherwood, existing theatres would be upgraded, high dependency facilities provided, and some wards adapted in a £1million programme.
There's another way we shall be making better use of our facilities. That is by operating acute services (medicine, surgery and obstetrics) at Wexham Park and Heatherwood as though they were a single comprehensive service such as a district general hospital twice their size might provide. Importantly, this restructuring will also make much better use of the time of skilled staff.
If you have to go into hospital for acute treatment, you will no longer be admitted automatically to whichever hospital is nearest to your home, but your consultant will, instead, be able to call upon whichever of the two hospitals has the best facilities and capacity available at the time.
(Heatherwood will be the first choice for Bracknell patients.) This new way of working has the overwhelming support of hospital medical staff.
Finally, I am happy to say that the plan agreed by your health authority on 21 November will mean that, subject to the hospital meeting specified performance levels, maternity and special baby care services will remain at Heatherwood.
David Treloar
District General Manager
Extract Wokingham Times 29/11/1990

 

NHS Changes Will Boost Heatherwood

By Jim stevens
The new man in charge of Heatherwood Hospital believes changes in the health service will pave the way for more patients to be treated at the Ascot hospital.
Nigel Crisp. new general manager of acute hospital services in East Berkshire, claims there will be opportunities for more patients to pass through the hospital from next April.
This is when health bosses will contract out their services to individual hospitals. Mr Crisp, aged 38, has been appointed to get the best use of scarce staff and other resources on a district wide basis.
He was previously General Manager at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough.
Last week Mr Crisp pledged his determination to provide the best available service for everybody in East Berkshire, whether they live in Bracknell, Windsor or Slough.
And he welcomed health bosses decision to retain maternity and special baby care units at Heatherwood.
He said: "I am delighted by the decision. We have got to make sure we have got a good level of access for both Bracknell and Slough people and have a clear back- ground to work against."
Mr Crisp emphasised the need for services at both Wexham Park and Heatherwood to work together for the benefit of patients.
"As we enter into the market, it gives us opportunities for more patients to come to Heatherwood, and to make sure that some who have previously gone elsewhere come here," he added.
Hospital consultants in East Berkshire are also optimistic, believing Heatherwood has a vital role to play in the future.
Welcomed Consultant anaesthetist Dr Joe Warren said his colleagues welcomed the decision to retain Heatherwood's obstetric unit.
He said: "I believe there is a desperate need for provision in this part of the district. We need a high quality service to make clear to everybody Heatherwood is a competitive unit."
The health authority have already pledged £1 million to Heatherwood for a new high dependency unit.
The money will also be used to upgrade operating theatres and fund a number of ward modifications.
Extract Bracknell Times 06/12/1990

 

£3000 Netted

A Bracknell angling club netted over £3,000 to help heart patients through a sponsored catch.
Members of the Bracknell Avocets Angling Society landed a total catch of 79lbs 13oz in the event, not 271bs 13oz as stated in last week's TIMES.
The money, £3,010 in all, was divided between the Royal Brompton and National Heart Hospital in London which received £1,910, and the heart unit at Heatherwood Hospital which received £1,100.
In addition to the sponsored catch, there were other fund-raising events including a raffle, with the top prize of a mountain bike donated by Beefeater.
Extract Bracknell Times 06/12/1990

 

More cuts at Heatherwood

Health bosses are considering cancelling orders for all new hearing aids in a bid to wipe out an East Berk- shire wide deficit of more than £800,000.
And they have not ruled out the possibility of further cuts at Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital to bring budgets back into line.
Heatherwood Hospital has already closed 14 beds in a bid to reduce the £250,000 over spend which must be wiped out by next April.
Bosses have also cancelled operations and imposed a freeze on the use of agency staff.
Health authority spokesman Phil Jacques said operating theatres were closing at 5pm every day.
He said: "Staff have naturally been upset and are going to have to soft pedal until the end of the financial year after having made considerable progress in reducing waiting lists."
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 06/12/1990

 

1990 And All That

March 1990
The scene was set for further public outrage with the announcement of plans for a super hospital which would mean scaling down Heatherwood at Ascot with services transferring to Slough. Heatherwood was again in the news following a claim by East Berks Health Authority chairman Dr Donald McWilliams that patients had died after being wrongly admitted. The announcement got him into hot water and was quickly followed by his resignation.
Extract Bracknell & Wokingham Times 27/12/1990