Heatherwood Hospital 1994

Cheer For Patients

IT was almost worthwhile being in hospital for these youngsters at Heatherwood because Christmas came early in the shape of sixth formers from Easthampstead Park School.
Mr Roger Prue, head of the sixth form, explained: "Each year the sixth formers plan a joint project. This year, it was the turn of the young patients at Heatherwood to benefit."
He added: "They did vey well. We are extremely proud of our sixth formers. "They have raised the money, written off to local companies and got sponsorship, prepared all the food and gave the youngsters on the ward a wonderful time."
"One of the boys even designed a grotto and dressed up as Santa. It was all great fun."
Extract Wokingham Times 13/01/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Friday, January 14

Bingo evening in aid of Paul Bevan MacMillan Appeal for Heatherwood Day Hospice at Morgan Centre, Crowthorne, 7.30pm.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times

 

Nurses Claim They Are Now Demoralised

by Jenny Dinning
Patients at Heatherwood Hospital risk losing out because of management cost-cutting exercises, according to concerned nursing staff.
Nurses at the hospital say they are 'demoralised' and 'unhappy' with recent changes following the adoption of the government's NHS Trust reforms.
And they claim management at the hospital are trying to gag concerned staff with threats of disciplinary action if they speak to the press.
Staff claim:
Wards are not up to scratch with dirty toilets, and equipment stored in bathrooms.
Patients are often moved around in the middle of the night to make room for emergency admissions, with some being sent home early because of a shortage of beds.
Nurses are working double shifts because of staff cuts with some being asked to show their commitment by working voluntary shifts.
Trainee nurses are left to deal with patients and relatives, while more experienced nurses deal with mountains of paperwork created by a high turnover of patients.
And they say they are fed up with being blamed for falling standards, which are due to management cost cutting not staff inefficiency.
The allegations are just some of the comments made to Binfield councillor Mandy Williams in the two years since the Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals Trust was set up.
In one letter, three nurses from Heatherwood and Wexham Park, who asked not to be identified for fear of being sacked, said they were 'concerned at what is happening and angry at the methods used by management. Councillor Williams, Labour's spokesman for health in East Berks, said she was contacted by the nurses after she spoke out about the 'Gestapo like' tactics of hospital management She said: "Many nurses at the hospital feel the conditions they are working under are disgusting.
They feel they are being blamed for circumstances out of their control.
"One nurse who spoke out said nurses were being made scapegoats for the problems created by managers and claimed nurses were being suspended and dismissed when things went wrong "Nurses who see their own numbers dropping are concerned that there are more managers, clerks and special projects people than there have ever been.
"And they are also demoralised because grades given for special responsibility and experience are being taken away as part of a cost-cutting exercise."
A spokeswoman for Heatherwood Hospital admitted that management were concerned by the allegations but said they had never tried to gag staff with threats of dismissal.
Jackie Lawton, Customer and Public Relations Manager, said: "The issues that Mrs Williams has raised are clearly a cause of concern to us.
"In particular, we are concerned at the suggestion that our staff should not feel able to express their views about the services within the Trust.
"There are clear professional and managerial routes for staff to follow if they feel the need to do so."
Ms Lawton admitted that an increase in the number of emergency admissions over recent months has put great pressure on services throughout the hospital to handle patients as quickly as they wish.
But she denied that nursing staff were being asked to come in to work voluntary shifts without pay and said management had not taken cost cutting too far.
Extract Bracknell Times 20/01/1994

 

Part of £10,000 Hospital Pledge

There were friendly smiles all round at Heatherwood Hospital when staff were presented with a new examination couch for the Outpatients Department.
The couch was donated by the hospital's League of Friends, which has pledged to spend over £10,000 on equipment over the coming year, and the Victoria Hall Fund.
And chairman Roy Ryman was on hand to examine the couch, along with two dressing trolleys, also donated.
Jackie Lawton, Public Relations Manager for the Trust, said: "The hospital is delighted to receive these gifts. We have a very enthusiastic and generous League of Friends here at Heatherwood.
"The ladies of the League's Trolley shop and volunteers at Radio Heatherwood always give their time and energy very willingly.
We are most grateful for their support."
Extract Bracknell Times 27/01/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo captioned:"Sister Margaret Shepherd with Alec Willoughby, from the Victoria Fund, plus Tom Griffiths and Roy Ryman of the League of Friends, at the presentation".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Doctor Harasses Women

Berkshire women are being terrorised by a bogus doctor who asks intimate questions on the telephone.
A spate of more than 15 calls across the county started two months ago, with women in Bracknell, Ascot and other towns receiving the distressing calls.
The man says he is a doctor from Wexham Park Hospital doing a survey. Police say his explanation is very plausible and many victims think they are talking to a real doctor.
As the "survey" goes on, questions become more intimate about medical history and personal health matters.
Jackie Lawton, of the Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals Trust, said women should not be afraid to slam their phones down.
She said: "No doctor from our Trust would telephone patients and ask for personal or medical details." Anyone who receives such a call should contact the police's community liaison department on 0753 506000.
Extract Evening Post 02/02/1994

 

Operation Waiting Time to be Reduced

By Sandra Walsh
Wokingham and Bracknell hospital patients will have less time to wait for their operations, health bosses have promised.
Waiting lists at the Royal Berks and Battle Hospitals, which cater for patients in the Wokingham area, will be slashed to 12 months by the end of March, a reduction of three months.
A cash boost of £389,000 from Berkshire Health Authority will enable the two hospitals to carry out an extra 690 operation in the urology, ophthalmic, gynaecology and orthopaedic departments.
Meanwhile, Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals, which deal with patients from the Bracknell area, have been given a £405,000 to help treat 618 patients waiting for general surgery, plastic surgery, vascular surgery and gynaecology.
Jane Kerr from the Royal Berks and Battle NHS trust said: "We very much welcome this extra money. "By the end of the financial year, the waiting lists will be no longer than 12 months in all our specialities and that is a big step forward."
Extract Wokingham Times 03/02/1994

 

Fetes Fairs Meetings

Suitable Arrangements concert in Holy Trinity Church, Bracknell at 7.30pm for the Paul Bevan Macmillan Appeal for Cancer (Heatherwood Day Hospice); admission £5, concessions £3.
Care Suitable Arrangements consists of Suzanne Chadwick and Sue Whorton, the wife of the new Methodist minister at Shepherd's Lane Methodist Church.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 03/02/1994

 

Club Makes a Healthy Contribution

Members of the Royal Berkshire Racquet and Health club in Bracknell have managed to raise a healthy sum of money for one of the area's best supported charities.
Staff and keep fit fans raised £1,550 for the Paul Bevan McMillan cancer appeal fund by holding three Christmas raffles, with prizes ranging from a free day's motor racing at Brands Hatch to champagne.
And all the booking fees taken on the day of the club's third birthday in September were also donated.
Penny Staniland, marketing consultant co-ordinator at the club, said: "We have been approached by a number of charities since we opened.
"Obviously, it's very difficult to support them all, so we decided to adopt this fund because several of our members have strong connections with it and were already doing fund raising work for the charity. "We are very happy to help."
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 03/02/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo showed David Wright & Martin Wyatt receive the cheque from Tom Nolan & Penny Staniland.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Over the Counter

Community pharmacists in Bracknell are taking part in an exciting new health promotion initiative.
Pharmacists and counter assistants can now offer more effective advice on a variety of health matters after taking part in a new training course.
Those who successfully completed the training will receive a special award at Heatherwood Hospital on Thursday.
Extract Evening Post 08/02/1994

 

Bogus Doctor Concern

A bogus doctor has been ringing women to ask them for personal medical details.
Women have received disturbing calls from a man claiming to be a doctor at Wexham Park Hospital and carrying out a health survey.
Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospital Trust Spokesperson Jackie Lawton said medical staff would not ask for personal or medical details over the phone.
"We are very concerned to hear about these calls and would like to make people aware of what to do and who they need to inform."
Anyone who gets a call from someone who says they are a doctor with the trust is advised to take a telephone number to call back to check the caller is genuine.
"We have heard from several ladies who have been called by this bogus doctor and they are often distressed at having answered very personal questions."
Anyone with information should contact their local police.
Extract Advertiser News & Advertising 09/02/1994

 

Ready to Start Work

Building work on the new cancer care centre at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot is to begin tomorrow (Friday).
To mark the start of the project, Jason Bevan, son of Paul Bevan in whose memory the charitable foundation behind the scheme is named, will cut the first turf.
The joint appeal by the Paul Bevan Foundation and national charity Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund has already reached £625,000, just £125,000 short of the £750,000 target.
At the ceremony, the project will be blessed by the Rev Sebastian Jones, vicar of All Souls' Church, South Ascot and Chaplain at Heatherwood Hospital.
Extract Bracknell Times 10/02/1994

 

It's The Chef's Special

Staff and customers of the Bracknell Hilton were celebrating after cooking up something special for Heatherwood Hospital.
Hotel manager Angela Gillett (centre) joined forces with breakfast chef Norma Woodward to present a £226 cheque to the special care baby unit.
The cheque was received on behalf of the hospital by Julia McClafferty.
Extract Bracknell Times 24/02/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Clark's Charity Match

Grant Clark, Bracknell Bees coach, is organising a charity soccer match in aid of the children's ward at Heatherwood Hospital. His Bracknell Bees players will be lining up against an All-Star team at Wokingham Town Football Club on Tuesday March 15 (7.45pm).
The All-Stars will consist of former Bees players, members of Thames Valley Tigers basketball team and ex-soccer professionals.
Clark said: "We visit the hospital quite often during the season and this is our chance to put something back into the community."
Admission to the match is £3 for adults, 50p to children.
Extract Evening Post 01/03/1994

 

Parsons Pulpit

A local GP told me with justified indignation that Heatherwood Hospital, which is an NHS trust, is routinely being paid twice for treating emergency patients.
It works like this. Patient A is sent by GPs to Heatherwood as an emergency case.
The trust is paid accordingly But the casualty officer decides that an X-ray or some other diagnostic test is needed before treatment can be given.
A form is completed, and the patient is then transferred to the standard referral list.
The patient is now Patient B. The statistics show two patients have been treated, the trust is paid twice, and everything's hunky-dory. Or is it?
Extract Bracknell Times 03/03/1994

 

Francis Set for Charity Match

Gerry Francis, manager of Queen's Park Rangers, will be among a host of stars taking part in a Bracknell Bees' charity football match.
Francis and fellow former England international Phil Parkes have both agreed to line up for the All Stars against Bees at Wokingham Town FC on Tuesday next week (7.45pm).
Admission is £3 for adults, 50p to children and all proceeds will go to the children's ward at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Bracknell coach Grant Clark, who has organised the match, said: "All the Bees will be playing. Shane Ellis is a good soccer player while Matt Cote played at college in Canada.
"There may even be a goalkeeping debut from Billy McLeod, our net minding coach," said Clark.
Extract Evening Post 08/03/1994

 

Star Turn Out For Charity

Former England football stars are to team up with the Bracknell's ice hockey team for a charity football match at the Wokingham ground.
QPR manager and former England captain Gerry Francis will lead a team including former England and QPR goalkeeper Phil Parkes, former Wokingham player Darren Barnard, who now plays with Chelsea and, if all goes according to plan, QPR forward Gary Penrice.
The entire Bracknell Bees team will be turning out including Shane Ellis, who was once on Wokingham Town's books, Norman Pinnington and Jon Walsmley, who are known to be good players.
Canadian players Darren Durdle, Paul. Constantin, Graham Garden and Matt Cote will also exchange their ice skatesfor football boots for the special event.
Thames Valley Tigers' basketball star Paul James will also be in the line-up for the big match next Tuesday, March 15 at 7.45pm.
The event has been organised by Bees' coach Grant Clark, who took part in a similar match a few years ago.
This time around, all towards the children's ward money raised will go at Heatherwood Hospital. Wokingham Town FC has donated free use of its pitch Tickets cost £3 for adults, at Finchampstead Road. 50p for children.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 10/03/1994

 

Hospital Staff Fear for NHS Patients

By Jenny Dinning
Bracknell NHS patients could lose out because of plans to turn part of an NHS psychiatric unit into a private ward, claims a Binfield Councillor.
Mandy Williams says the move by the Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospital Trust will seriously affect patient care.
And she says money should be invested in NHS facilities, rather than spent on wooing private patients.
Plans to develop a new general ward for private patients at Wexham Park were announced when the hospital first applied for trust status.
The hospital's Maple Wing already has seven beds for private patients.
At the time of the announcement, management insisted the new ward would be a profitable venture, resulting in additional income which could then be spent on NHS wards.
But Coun Williams claims she has been contacted by several members of staff who are worried that the ward will reduce the amount of money being spent on NHS treatment.
And she says the ward could prove a flop with fee paying patients as there is already a lack of demand for private beds at the hospital.
Coun Williams said: "I believe this is an important issue for Bracknell people. More and more of us are expected to attend Wexham for outpatient appointments and operations.
"I am sure most Bracknell people would like to see any spare cash going into updating NHS facilities.
"Staff at Heatherwood and Wexham Park claim £900,000 has been spent on refurbishment with the ward due to open on April 1 as a general private patients ward.
"They are concerned that the Trust will be unable to recoup the money because it's not even able to fill the existing Maple Ward.
And because this ward is in the psychiatric unit, they fear it will not be an attractive proposition to private patients.
"I have written to the Chairman of the Trust Board and the Chief Executive of the Health Authority expressing my concerns.
I believe the Trust should account for its decision to the tax payers who finance it."
A spokeswoman for the Heatherwood and Wexham Park Trust said any income generated from the new 16 bed private ward would be placed in a fund for improvement of NHS facilities.
"It is anticipated that the capital investment for the ward will be recovered through income received.
"With the new wing we have improved facilities available within the Trust for private patients.
The current facility has some shortcomings. The main users of the new unit, consultant staff and insurance companies, have both indicated their support."
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 10/03/1994

 

Bracknell Bees Charity Football Match

In aid of the children's ward at Heatherwood Hospital Bracknell Bees v 'All Stars' (all stars consisting of ex-Bees, TV Tigers, ex-professional players and more!) at Wokingham Town Football Club, Easthampstead Rd.
Wokingham 15th March 1994 -7.45pm kick-off £3.00 Adults, 50p Children under 12 Tickets available from:
John Nike Leisuresport Complex, Bracknell - Tel: (0344) 860033
JAY Printers, 9 Station Road, Wokingham, Tel: (0734) 894000
OR ON THE NIGHT
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS GOOD CAUSE!
Extract Wokingham Times 10/03/1994

 

Clark's Stars on Parade

Bracknell BEES players will swap their skates for soccer boots when they take on an All-Star team in a charity match at Wokingham Town FC tomorrow (7.45pm).
Their opponents will include ex-England soccer internationals Phil Parkes and Gerry Francis, now manager of QPR, and Paul James of TV Tigers' title chasing basketball team.
The match, in aid of the children's ward at Heatherwood Hospital has been organised by Bees coach Grant Clark. Admission is £3 for adults, 50p to children.
Extract Evening Post 15/03/1994

 

Bees Charity Win

Ice Hockey:
More than 500 people attended a charity soccer match between Bracknell Bees and an All-Star team at Wokingham Town FC last night.
Jon Walmsley's late goal clinched a 6-5 win for Bees who raised £600 for the children's ward at Heatherwood Hospital.

Extract Evening Post 16/03/1994

 

9 Nurses Claimed to be Sacked

by Jenny Dinning
A Binfield councillor is planning to meet with management at Heather- wood and Wexham Park hospitals, after senior nurses complained they were sacked.
Coun Mandy Williams, Labour's spokeswoman for health in East Berkshire, was contacted by staff at the hospital after nine theatre sisters were given three months notice.
The job losses were part of a restructuring programme at the hospital which saw all grade G sisters asked to reapply for jobs after a report by the District Auditor said theatres had too many senior staff.
Sixteen sisters reapplied for jobs as 'team leaders' under the new regrading scheme. But in a letter to Coun Williams, staff claimed the job description for the post was identical to the jobs the nurses had already been doing.
And they said they were disgusted when nine nurses were turned down, with junior nurses being asked to apply for the post.
The letter said: "We are characteristically of a kind and caring nature. But this is being taken advantage of by business style cold bloodedness, which sees nurses as easy targets.
"Morale amongst nurses is now at rock bottom." Coun Williams is now hoping to meet with Karen Caines, Chief Executive of the Trust, to discuss the allegations by staff.
She said: "I have been contacted by nursing staff at all levels who feel standards of care are being compromised. "As I understand it, they feel restructuring is being used to remove anyone whose face doesn't fit.
Posts become redundant and staff are asked to reapply, in some cases unsuccessfully.
"There is also a move towards fewer and lower grade nurses, sacrificing experience for cuts in the wage bill. I feel the Trust should account for their actions.
"There is a climate of fear at the hospital which is very worrying. Staff say they are not in the habit of contacting politicians but they do not know what else to do."
A spokeswoman for Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals Trust confirmed that Ms Caines would be meeting with Coun Williams but denied that staff had been forced out, saying some had chosen to choose voluntary redundancy.
She said: "The re-organisation is essential for improving the level of service to our patients.
It concentrates on creating dedicated specialist teams with appropriate skills and responsibilities.
"The reorganisation is not designed to cut costs and will not result in significant savings on salary costs.
"The Trust has given its commitment to trying to find alternative positions for the nine nurses who will no longer be employed in operating theatres, but this has got to be dependent on matching skills with requirements and cannot be guaranteed.
Some may choose to take voluntary redundancy."
Extract Bracknell Times 17/03/1994

 

Bracknell Bees Charity Football Match

In aid of the children's ward at Heatherwood hospital
Bracknell Bees v 'All Stars' (all stars consisting of ex-Bees, TV Tigers, ex-professional players and more!) at Wokingham Town Football Club, Easthampstead Rd., Wokingham 15th March 1994 -7.45pm kick-off
£3.00 Adults, 50p Children under 12
Tickets available from:
John Nike Leisure sport Complex, Bracknell - Tel: (0344) 860033 JAY Printers, 9 Station Road, Wokingham, Tel: (0734) 894000
Or on the night Please support this good cause!
Extract Bracknell Times 17/03/1994

Comment:- The above advert was published after match had taken place.

 

Time to Get on Your Bike for Charity

Teams of Bracknell Rotaract members were handing out entry forms to shoppers for this years charity cycle ride.
Borough mayor Isabel Mattick got the campaign under way at the Band Stand in Bracknell town centre on Saturday.
The charity is hoping to at least match the magnificent £22,000 raised last year by people's pedal power.
Cyclists taking part in the 1994 Three Counties Cycle Ride will take in Surrey and Hampshire as well as attractive local areas such as Winkfield, Sindlesham and Eversley.
The money raised will be divided between the Paul Bevan MacMillan Appeal in support of the Cancer Care Day Hospice earmarked for Heatherwood Hospital and the MARFAN Association for people with inherited physical disorders.
The message from Bracknell Rotaract president Richard Steele is: 'If you have a bike put it to good use and join in the big bike day on Sunday June 5.
Extract Bracknell & Wokingham Times 24/03/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo. Captioned:"Mayor Isabel launches the ride".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Heatherwood Hospital

Comment:- A photo was published and Captioned:"Bees player Graham Garden hands over a cheque for £652 to staff of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, from money raised by a charity football match".
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 07/04/1994
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Music

Tickets are still available for the Windsor and Eton Operatic Society gala performance of Eugene Onegin tomorrow (Friday).
The gala evening is organised by the Rotary Club of Windsor St George, and is in aid of the Paul Bevan Macmillan Appeal Cancer Care.
The aims of the for appeal are to build a day hospice, to provide two additional hospital based Macmillan nurses, and to provide more money for patient grants.
The building of the day hospice in the grounds of Heatherwood Hospital is underway, and just £100,000 is needed to complete the project.
Ken Smith, president of the Rotary Club of Windsor St George, said: "This is a great opportunity for people to have a good evening out and help us achieve our target at the same time."
Tickets for the gala night are £13.50 and are obtainable from 0753-857018.
Extract Wokingham Times 14/04/1994

 

Hospital In Cuts Shock

by John Sheehan
Heatherwood's casualty and maternity departments are likely to be cut in a major shake-up of medical care in Berkshire.
Patients needing emergency treatment will have to travel to Slough or Reading if measures recommended by a report are adopted.
The Berkshire Health Authority's report released this month says that major medical services should be centred on Wexham Park Hospital in Slough and the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.
But local county councillor Mandy Williams fears the cut backs could cost lives.
She said: "If they remove the Accident and Emergency department people could die on their way to hospital in the back of ambulances."
In the health authority's Development of Purchasing Strategies proposals for consultation, Dr Peter Dixon says: "While Heatherwood will continue as an outpatient and day case centre, the current range of facilities cannot be sustained in the long term.
"This is particularly true for neo-natal intensive care and maternity." And the report goes on to say that for reasons of manpower and technology, accident and emergency services should only be provided at Wexham Park S and the RBH.
Speaking about the report, Dr Dixon said: "We would certainly see a future for Heatherwood but not a providing the present range of facilities."
The report has been slammed by Councillor Williams who said: "The document is very disturbing "Heatherwood has all these plans to develop but how can they know how to proceed if the health authority turns round and pulls the plug on them?"
Mrs Williams says Heatherwood provides an essential range of services. She said: "Bracknell is a , growing town and it needs a major hospital.
"They are talking about centre everything on the RBH because it is a large hospital. But it's not easy for people to make their way to.
People will be badly affected." The report also outlines plans for patients who are not unstable to be put up in hotels near hospitals to ease the demand on beds.
Cancer care is also set to come under review and the report says that 'some treatment may be misguided since some patients are mortally ill and consume expensive treatment without much benefit.'
Extract Bracknell Times 14/04/1994

 

Music

Tickets are still available for the Windsor and Eton Operatic Society gala performance of Eugene Onegin tomorrow (Friday).
The gala evening is organised by the Rotary Club of Windsor St George,and is in aid of the Paul Bevan Macmillan Appeal for Cancer Care.
The aims of the appeal are to build a day hospice, to provide two additional hospital based Macmillan nurses, and to provide more money for patient grants.
The building of the day hospice in the grounds of Heatherwood Hospital is underway, and just £100,000 is needed to complete the project.
Ken Smith, president of the Rotary Club of Windsor St George, said: "This is a great opportunity for people to have a good evening out and help us achieve our target at the same time."
Tickets for the gala night are £13.50 and are obtainable from 0753-857018.
Extract Bracknell Times 14/04/1994

 

MP Joins Row over Hospital

Threatened closure of some of Heatherwood Hospital's essential departments has brought a storm of protest from local campaigners.
They say they thought they had won their battle to keep the accident and emergency and maternity departments of the Ascot hospital open four years ago.
And new proposals outlined in a Berkshire Health Authority document have been met with disbelief.
Michael Bentley, minister of Great Hollands' Free Church and a leading light in the last campaign to save the hospital said: "I'm absolutely horrified by the proposals. Four years ago we thought we had won a victory in keeping the accident and emergency and maternity units at Heatherwood.
"BUt now services are being gradually eroded with Heatherwood sending a good many people to Wexham Park.
"They won't even plaster a broken arm which is absolutely ridiculous. Under the new report they are talking about minor casualty only being treated at Heatherwood.
"I would like to know what they mean by minor casualty.
Is it only going to be nurse led or GP run?" And Mr Bentley expressed outrage at the possible shut down of the maternity department along with the special care baby unit.
His opinions were echoed by a group of mothers whose children were born at Heatherwood Hospital.
They met Labour MP Alan Milburn who has been raising a number of questions about the NHS in the House of Commons in recent weeks.
Karen Newman from Popeswood Road, who has had six children at the hospital, said: "The maternity unit has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. When my youngest children were born, I relied on my husband to look after the others.
"If I had been in Wexham it would not have been convenient for him to visit me very often because of the distance and the extra time it would take."
And she said a recent appointment at Wexham Park for her daughter had meant a one and a half hour car journey to Wexham Park in Slough.
"If this proposal goes ahead a lot of babies are going to be born in ambulances and if the accident and emergency goes too, the consequences don't bear thinking about," she added. Helen Lamb from Binfield said: "This will be the start of the decline of Heatherwood as a proper hospital to serve all the community."
Virginia Begg of Murrell Hill Lane said: "Bracknell is a growing community, why are they putting forward proposals to close the maternity unit? They ought to be expanding services at Heatherwood, not cutting them."
Speaking about the proposals, Alan Milburn said: "It's one of the most horrific proposals I have seen.
It's an extremist document which deserves to be rejected. "This sort of cost cutting is happening throughout the country but the problem is you end up cutting corners which costs lives.
That will probably happen here."
Extract Bracknell Times 21/04/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo. Captioned:"MP Alan Milburn and county councillor Mandy Williams talk to mums about the threat to close Heatherwood's Maternity Department"
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

All Part of a Scare

Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay has criticised 'scaremongering over the threatened closure of vital services at Heatherwood Hospital.
But he says he doesn't believe the maternity and casualty departments should close as is suggested in a 'Development of Purchasing Strategies' report produced by Berkshire Health Authority.
He said: "We went down this track a few years ago and I don't think it will happen again this time."
Mr MacKay said Berkshire Health Authority should be applauded for their openness in outlining the proposals.
"I'm dismayed there has been some scaremongering suggesting these are plans.' Maintaining the proposals are only there for discussion, Mr MacKay said he would be totally against closing the maternity and accident and emergency departments,
Extract Bracknell Times 28/04/1994

 

Sun Shines on 1000 Cyclists

Weather presenter Helen Young appeared to use her celestial influence to provide glorious sunshine for an annual charity cycle ride in Bracknell.
The BBC weather girl was at the start line outside the Bracknell Ice Rink on sun drenched Sunday morning to give starters orders to over 1,000 cyclists taking part in the Three Counties Cycle Ride.
"I'd have run away if it had been cloudy and drenched like yesterday. But today we have perfect conditions," she said.
"I think it's great that all these people are coming together to take part and raise loads of money." It was hoped that the event, organised by the Rotaract Club of Bracknell, would raise £25,000 through sponsorship.
The money will go towards a new Macmillan hospice at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot and pay for the publication of a new book on the debilitating Marfan syndrome.
The fastest cyclists on the 50-mile fun ride, which passed beautiful country side in Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire, were expected to finish in just two and-a-half hours.
But most were content to set a more leisurely pace and enjoy the sunshine, perhaps stopping off on the way for a bite to eat.
Andy Higgs, chairman of the event's committee, said: "Helen promised good weather and she certainly brought it along.
And he stressed that, aside from raising bags of sponsorship money, the ride was meant to be an enjoyable day out for people of all ages.
"It's not a race. People do it because it's good fun. The route is along the quietest roads with scenic views."
Over 200 volunteer marshals from Rotaract clubs and charities manned check points along the way to make sure that all went smoothly.
Out on the course, 58- year-old cyclist John Cleaton, from Finchampstead Road, Wokingham, took time out to rave about the event.
"It's been very well organised and it's been easier this year with fewer hills," said Mr Cleaton, who was aiming to raise £225.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 09/06/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by three photos. one was Captioned:"Whilst some riders took their time others went flat out! "
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photos here.

 

More than 4,000 at Concert

by Charles Nelson
SIR Andrew Lloyd Webber was amongst thousands of concert goers who turned out in the glorious sunshine on Sunday evening to enjoy a music spectacular starring international soloist Sarah Brightman.
The concert, which lasted nearly two hours, was Miss Brightman's first UK appearance for several years.
The show went ahead despite opposition from Sunninghill parish councillors who had wanted the plug pulled over fears that the noise would upset patients in nearby Heatherwood Hospital.
An audience of more than 4,000 gathered on the spacious lawns of Englemere in Kings Ride, Ascot, many arriving a few hours beforehand to picnic.
Miss Brightman swept on to the stage at around 9pm in a glamorous white dress and then sang a variety of famous songs, including West End numbers by her ex-hubbie, Sir Andrew, accompanied by full orchestra.
There was an air of serene sophistication as people listened to the music on rugs or deckchairs, some peering at the stage through binoculars and others sipping champagne.
The show was held to mark the Chartered Institute of Building's 160th anniversary.
Extract Bracknell Times 16/06/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo. It was Captioned:"International soprano Sarah Brightman".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Going For A Darts Record

Eight intrepid darts players are hoping to put themselves in the Guinness Book of World Records with a marathon effort for charity in September.
The players, led by main organiser Glen Tunstall, hope to better an existing best score of 510,625 in bulls and 25s in 24 hours and then to go building up the total for a further hour.
They will be supervised by two independent scorers and will start the stint at 10.00pm on September 16 with 90 per cent of proceeds going to the Paul Bevan MacMillan Appeal for Cancer Care, which aims to build a cancer care unit at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, and 10 per cent to the Earl Haig Poppy Appeal. The marathon attempt will be held at Cranbourne and Winkfield Royal British Legion to which the players belong.
The players will operate in pairs for half an hour a time and the initial aim is to raise £1,000 through sponsorship.
As the marathon enters its second day (September 17), a real ale festival will be held with proceeds split between the Paul Bevan fund and Kennel Ride Children's Home.
Individuals and businesses wanting to sponsor the darts marathon can contact Mr Tunstall on 0753 686127.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 16/06/1994

 

League Table blow For Hospitals Trust

By Catherine Evans
Reading's hospitals are near the bottom of the league, according to new star-rated tables published by the Government today.
In eight out of 23 categories the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals Trust scored lower than other hospitals and trusts in the Anglia and Oxford Region and came top in only one.
Crucial accident and emergency figures show only 63 per cent of patients were assessed within five minutes of arrival one of the requirements of the Patients' Charter.
At other similar hospitals, the John Radcliffe in Oxford and Wexham Park and Heatherwood Hospitals Trust, the figures were 80% and 92%.
And in the star ratings, which show how the trust is performing compared with government targets, the hospitals scored a duck because the auditors were unhappy with the data collection system.
The RBH and Battle were found to have longer waiting list times than many hospitals, coming in the bottom three in seven out of 16 sections.

Extract Evening Post 29/06/1994

 

Hospitals report is bad medicine for Wokingham

By Jenny Dinning
But it's Just the Tonic for Bracknell
Hospital patients in Bracknell could end up with better treatment than those in Wokingham, according to the new star-rated tables published by the Government.
The tables, which are designed to give detailed information on how NHS Trusts are performing, put Heatherwood Hospital streets ahead of the Royal Berkshire when it comes to efficiency.
The Wexham Park and Heatherwood Hospitals Trust, which serves Bracknell, scored well in most categories, including the accident and emergency figures where 92 percent of patients are treated within five minutes of their arrival.
But the Royal Berks and Battle Hospitals Trust, which serves Wokingham, dragged behind, with only 63 percent of patients assessed within the five minute time limit laid down by the patients's Charter. And both the Royal Berks and Battle were found to have longer waiting lists, coming near the bottom in many categories.
A spokeswoman for the Reading hospitals said they were aware of the need to improve.
She said: "In accident and emergency cases, we intend to assess patients on arrival and not after registration which has been the case.
"Waiting lists and day surgery figures will be improved by the new Eye Ward day unit and new consultants and staff have been appointed in three departments to cut waiting times."
But it's just the tonic for Bracknell But the news may not be all bad for Wokingham patients, with many critics claiming the tables don't give a true picture of the care provided by hospitals in the area.
The results have particularly angered health workers. Helen Black, local spokesperson for UNISON, which represents 50 percent of the country's NHS workers, called the results an "expensive and cynical public relations exercise" which would damage morale.
She said: "These figures do not reflect clinical effectiveness or quality of patient care. Patients and staff want to know how effective the treatment on offer is and these tables leave them none the wiser.
"It will be deeply damaging to staff morale to have their hospitals labelled as 'failing', when no extra resources are being provided to deal
HOW other services in the Wokingham and Bracknell area fared: Royal Berkshire Ambulance Service: performed well. Standards met those laid down in the government's Patients' Charter, including requirement that ambulances should arrive in rural area within 19 minutes (97.6 per cent success rate).
West Berkshire Priority Care Service with the problems. "Hard pressed staff know many of the problems and are angry and frustrated at not having the resources to put them right."
Labour's spokeswoman for East Berks Mandy Williams has also criticised the league tables, saying they will turn hospitals into "sausage factories".
Cllr Williams, who is an ardent campaigner in the fight against NHS decline, said: "These figures only measure the bureaucratic efficiency of the hospital not the care given. "Heatherwood may say they are proud of a 92 percent success rate when it comes to seeing patients within the first five minutes but what the public really needs to see are figures on how long it takes to be treated and how many patients have to be readmitted.
"No account has been taken whether the patient is cured, properly diagnosed or given proper advice. And figures on readmissions would be a better guide to the quality of treatment received.
"The danger of this star rating system is that NHS trust managers could be tempted into spending their meagre resources on improving their rating and not their treatments."
Cllr Williams is also worried that patients may feel anxious if their hospital hasn't performed well.
She said: "Patients are not shoppers going into a supermarket. People have no choice about which hospital they can go to and they may be worried that they won't receive the best treatment.
"And at the end of the day, the Government has printed these league tables but no-one has said what redress there will be."
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 07/07/1994

 

Baby stable after Poisoning at Hospital

A seriously ill baby girl who was poisoned accidentally with dishwasher powder by a nurse was in a "stable" condition yesterday.
The parents of one year old Gemma were at her bedside at Birmingham Children's Hospital, where she was taken after being given a drink containing highly toxic cleaning powder from a container marked "children's feed additive."
A major inquiry has been launched at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, Berkshire. where the incident happened on Sunday and where a cleaner has been suspended.
Gemma, whose family live in Crowthorne, Berks, has been on the waiting list for a liver transplant for five months after being born with a rare liver disorder. Her family have asked for their identity to be kept secret.
A spokesman for the Birmingham hospital said it was not yet known if Gemma would remain there until a transplant liver was found. Sunday's mix-up happened when a children's nurse at Heatherwood Hospital used a scoopful of powder from a container marked "children's feed additive."
unaware it contained toxic cleaning powder.
Gemma was rushed to the Birmingham hospital, which has one of the country's top liver units. A Heatherwood hospital spokesman said the incident was "very disturbing" and a top level panel would investigate.
Gemma's mother, who does not wish to be named, said she did not blame the nursing staff for the mix-up.
"It's one of those awful things that can happen. Heatherwood has done the best it can under a very difficult situation. They didn't try to cover up the error."
She added, "If anything good can come out of this, it might be that someone comes forward as a liver donor."
Extract People 20/07/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo. It was Captioned:"Gemma."
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Poison Is Fed To Baby

Hospital worker has now been suspended
A Heatherwood hospital worker has been suspended after poisonous dishwasher powder was pumped into a baby girl's stomach as she lay in a ward awaiting a liver transplant.
One-year-old Gemma was given the potentially lethal feed by a children's nurse when she awoke.
No-one realised that the feed contained the highly toxic fluid until the baby started to be sick.
The horror mix-up happened on Sunday at the Ascot hospital where the baby is a long-term patient.
A major investigation into the incident is underway as shocked medical staff admitted there had been a serious blunder on the children's ward.
The mix-up happened when a nurse used a scoopful of powder from a container marked 'children's feed additive', not knowing that it was really dishwasher cleaner.
She mixed the powder with other liquid in a baby's bottle and then put it into the drip feed being used to pump food into the baby's stomach.
More than half the feed was pumped in before the child started to be sick and the drip was switched off.
Sources at the hospital said that a large plastic bag of dishwasher powder had been put in the paediatric ward's kitchen instead of the general kitchen.
"A domestic cleaner employed at the hospital seems to have put the dishwasher powder into a container," said the source.
"On Sunday morning, a paediatric nurse went to the kitchen to prepare a feed for the baby. She took some powder from the baby feed container and mixed it up with the other fluids.
"The feed was then given to the baby as she lay in her cot on the children's ward. Soon after she was violently sick but no one realised why.
"It was only when one of the senior nurses checked the remains that they discovered there was dishwasher powder in it.
The balloon really went up and senior hospital staff were called in. The baby's father was absolutely furious about what happened," said the source. The child, who lives with her parents in Crowthorne, was transferred to the specialist unit at the Birmingham Children's Hospital.
A spokesman for the Heatherwood Trust Hospital said that a major inquiry into the incident was being headed by the Chief Executive.
Gemma's mother, who did not want to be named, said that she did not blame the nursing staff at the hospital for the mix-up. "It's one of those awful things that can happen. Heatherwood has done the best it can under a very difficult situation.
They didn't try to cover up the error." Baby Gemma has been on the waiting list for a liver transplant for five months.
Her mother said: "If anything good can come out of this awful situation, it might be that someone comes forward as a liver donor.
"There are just not enough donor organs to go around.
If people can be made aware of the life and death situation children like my daughter are in, perhaps they will think about an organ donation if some awful tragedy befalls one of their nearest and dearest," she said.
Extract Bracknell Times 21/07/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo. It was Captioned:"Baby Gemma-feed contained highly toxic fluid."
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

---

Comment:- The articles about Gemma's plight was carried by a number of national and local newspapers and radio.

 

Shock As Top Boss at Heatherwood Quits

The boss of Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals has resigned after just.
Eight months in the job. Karen Caines will stand down as Chief Executive of Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals Trust in September.
Mrs Caines says she has made the decision for personal reasons.
But county councillor Mandy Williams has expressed concern over the circumstances of the resignation, which came out of the blue.
However, Mrs Caines said the decision had not been an easy one to make.
She added: "I have come to believe that at this very critical time when the future of the Trust's two hospitals is being shaped, I cannot sustain the heavy day-to-day workload and at the same time meet the needs of my young family."
Peter Warry, a 44-year-old chartered engineer from Wokingham will be appointed acting Chief Executive from August.
Extract Bracknell Times 21/07/1994

 

Heatherwood Lifts Suspension Over Baby 'Poisoning'

Hospital investigators have said that a "series of small mistakes" was to blame for the terrible mix up in which a baby girl was accidentally fed dishwasher powder.
Two separate inquiries were launched by hospital chiefs after the poisonous powder was pumped into one-year-old Gemma's stomach by a nurse as she awaited a liver transplant at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot.
A member of the domestic staff, who was suspended after the mix-up, has now been allowed to return to work.
The nurse was not suspended.
A hospital spokesman said: "There is absolutely no indication of malice or misconduct and the staff involved have resumed normal duties.
"Both investigations concluded that it was a series of small mistakes and unsatisfactory procedures in handling potentially hazardous domestic materials which led to a small amount of dishwasher powder being mistaken for baby food additive."
She confirmed that the hospital has now set about changing the storage and control arrangements for dishwasher powder and similar substances.
Baby Gemma-recovering
Gemma, whose parents come from Heathlake Park in Crowthorne, has since had the operation at Birmingham Children's Hospital and is said to be doing very well.
A hospital spokesman said: "She's doing fine following the operation.
Obviously it takes time to get over it. It's a very stressful time for the family."
Doctors decided to push ahead with the operation after it was found that Gemma had suffered no permanent damage from the dishwasher powder.
Extract 28/07/1994

 

Happy Days Mean Nappy Days

Happy days mean nappy days Pupils at a Bracknell school danced the night away to raise money to help sick babies.
And the efforts of the children at Easthampstead Park School helped to raise £100 for the special care baby unit at Heatherwood Hospital.
The Year Eight pupils organised and publicised the disco themselves with a little help from the sixth form.
The money was handed over to Sister Kay Wooley at an assembly held to mark the end of the school year.
Extract Bracknell Times 28/07/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo. It was Captioned:"Linda Offin (13) hands over the cheque to Sister Kay Wooley"
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Friday, July 29

Bingo evening at The Morgan Centre, Crowthorne, to benefit the Macmillan Appeal for the Heatherwood Day Hospice.
The evening starts at 7.30pm and admission is 50p.
Extract Bracknell Times 28/07/1994

 

It's Topping Out Time

Trustees of the Paul Bevan Macmillan Appeal scaled new heights at a special Topping ceremony on Out Friday
The final tile was placed in the roof of the new cancer care centre in the grounds of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, by Jason Jason is the son of the late Paul Bevan after whom the hospice is named.
And traditional ceremony gave an opportunity to say thank you to volunteers and the people of East Berkshire who have helped the appeal so far. Appeal Co-ordinator Wendy Croasdale said: This gesture of goodwill between the builders, their workers and the building owners dates back many centuries.
Fortunately, though, the architect is no longer offered as a sacrifice!
"All over the world the custom of Topping Out is recognised and practised. Here in East Berkshire, the community may be justly proud of this building which represents practical care for others. So far £740,000 has been raised for the appeal and just £10,000 more means the target will have been reached.
Extract Bracknell Times 11/08/1994

 

Life-Saving is Simon's Business

Introducing the latest life saving techniques will be one of the tasks of Berkshire Ambulance's new medical adviser, Dr Simon Brown.
The Sandhurst GP has already worked closely with paramedics at the scene of serious road accidents as a member of the Berkshire Accident Doctor scheme.
Dr Brown trained at St Mary's Hospital medical school and has worked at several local hospitals, including, Heatherwood in Ascot, the Royal Berkshire in Reading and Wexham Park in Slough.
Paramedics are carrying out increasingly complex treatments at the scene of accidents and Dr Brown believes it is essential to keep pace with the latest equipment and practices.
Ambulance chief Keith Nuttall saidD r Brown, who replaces Dr Chris Carney, will make a significant contribution to the Trust.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 25/08/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo showed Dr Simon Brown
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Baby Unit Faces Axe

Hospital Shake Up Makes Sense - MP
  By Charles Nelson
Maternity, accident and emergency departments at Heatherwood Hospital are set to come under the scalpel in a major cost-cutting exercise.
On the proposed hit-list is the hospital's special baby care unit.
Hospital bosses say that the changes are needed to keep up with different staffing levels because of a reduction in junior doctor working hour.
Wexham Park Hospital in Slough would become the regional centre for specialist services, meaning major cuts at Heatherwood.
"It is no longer possible to maintain full specialist resources and skills at both Heatherwood and Wexham Park," a Trust statement said.
Opponents claim that the Bracknell area does not suffer from such a staff shortage and that the cuts proposed for Heatherwood Hospital are not needed.
But Tory MP Andrew Mackay has welcomed the proposals unveiled by the Heatherwood and Wexham Park Trust on Tuesday as "common sense". He claims that it will give his constituents a wider choice of hospital services.
According to the proposals: The accident and emergency department would be replaced by a nurse-run 24-hour minor injuries unit.
The special baby care unit would be scrapped.
A midwife-led maternity unit would take over from the existing consultant led one. The changes could be implemented as early as next year Mr Mackay said: "I am delighted that good sense has prevailed and that there will still be a maternity unit and accident and emergency unit for my constituents.
"It makes sense to me that women in Bracknell should be able to have a choice between Heatherwood, Wexham Park, Frimley Park and Royal Berkshire.
"The great majority expecting a straight-forward will be able to use Heatherwood where there will be a midwife-led service.
"But for those where there might be complications they will go to one of the other hospitals where there is a consultant-led service.
"It's worth noting that a recent national survey showed that a great majority of women much preferred to be looked after by midwives at pregnancy."
But county councillor Mandy Williams said that new-born babies will be at risk if the special baby unit is axed.
A spokeswoman for the hospitals trust said fully trained medical staff would always be on hand to deal with emergencies.
The loss of the baby unit would come as a blow to the many residents in the area who have been raising funds to keep it going in recent months.
Extract Bracknell Times 08/09/1994

 

Its Fun In The Rain

Regulars and local traders helped to raise £450 at a fun day at The Bull in Bracknell.
The landlord of the High Street pub, David Day, said the event was a great success despite picking the "worst day of the year" to hold it.
"Children were coming in from the bouncy castle soaking wet and the mums and dads were screaming at me, but the kids enjoyed themselves!
"All in all it was an excellent turnout from the Bracknell traders and from all the locals," he said. One of the big money spinners on Saturday was the raffle and small auction.
"We held it in the afternoon - when people have had a few drinks they tend to dig deeper into their pockets," said Mr Day.
The money raised will go towards Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, and Wexham Park Hospital, Slough. And next year the pub hopes to raise even more money by holding the fun day in June or July, when the rain is less likely to create a moat inside the bouncy castle.
Extract Bracknell Times 08/09/1994

 

Heart-Op Man To Lead Protest

by Jenny Dinning
A former triple heart bypass patient is leading the fight to stop Heatherwood Hospital losing some of its services.
Retired schoolteacher Jerry Glynn says he will not sit back and watch while the Ascot hospital is downgraded into a 'cottage hospital'.
As chair of the newly formed Heatherwood Action Group, Mr Glynn is hoping to consolidate public opposition to the plans revealed at a meeting last week.
The Heatherwood and Wexham Park Trust blamed the cuts on a reduction in the hours worked by junior doctors.
The news met with outrage from the community. And Mr Glynn claims the public need an organisation to voice their anger.
The action group aims to: Support the full-time retention of all services, particularly the maternity and accident emergency departments. Investigate and promote the ways services can be improved.
Secure Heatherwood's future as a centre of health care for the community. Inform and mobilize public by holding meetings.
Mr Glynn, of Ringwood Close, South Ascot, said: "We are all extremely worried to hear about the proposals; and we would like to see Heatherwood enhanced rather than downgraded.
"We have joined forces with Bracknell protester Donald Veakins and between us have 15,000 signatures on a petition against the cuts."
Mr Glynn, who describes himself as "in my seventies but very active", had first hand experience of the care on offer at Heatherwood after his operation.
He said: "I had the by-pass at Brompton Hospital in London but had to visit Heatherwood for my out-patient care.
Everyone was extremely helpful and I am well aware of the care that is given." The Heatherwood Action group is a non-political organisation and is made up of various organisations in the Ascot and Bracknell area, including the National Childbirth Trust, St John Ambulance Brigade and the Paul Bevan Macmillan Fund Appeal.
They will be holding their first public meeting at South Ascot Village Hall on Friday, September 30 at 8.30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Extract Bracknell Times 15/09/1994

 

Winkfield

AS part of its Centenary Celebrations, Winkfield Parish Council is holding open days at the parish council offices, Fernbank Road, Ascot on Thursday
22nd, Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th September, 1994, 10am to 4.30pm. There will be a Centenary Year (1894-1994) history exhibition; information about the parish council; copy of the Domesday Book; children's posters; county archive material etc and Winkfield tea towels will be on sale.
Tea and cakes, sold in aid of Paul Bevan Macmillan Day Hospice, Heatherwood Hospital, will be served by the staff in Victorian costume.
Extract Bracknell Times 15/09/1994

 

Union Bosses Joins Heatherwood Row

Union bosses bosses Heatherwood Hospital have slammed plans for cut-backs at a crisis meeting on Tuesday.
The meeting came in the wake of a consultation document released by health chiefs in which they outline plans to turn Heatherwood into a 'model' local hospital.
Union leaders met on Tuesday morning and say they will produce a detailed answer to the proposals.
Alistair MacLean, area representative for the GMB, which represents some 1,000 health workers in the Heatherwood and Wexham Park Trust, has vowed to lend his backing to pressure groups who are fighting the cut-backs.
He said: "The trade unions are setting up a small working group to respond to the document and that response will be ready by October 12.
"In the meantime, organisations will be involved in linking up with local action groups." And he said a meeting to get his members' views on the proposals would be held within the next week or so.
But Mr MacLean said he does not believe what the trust is saying and that their proposals are a short cut to closing vital services.
He said: "They say they are investing in specialist nurses for minor injuries and maternity.
"But you can see what they are doing by the way they destroyed the nurses in the theatre complex and re- placed them with agency and junior staff.
"I honestly believe the system they are putting in place is simply to appease the community and it will be short lived."
He says that nurses brought in to staff a minor injuries unit would simply have to refer a lot of cases on to the major hospitals because they would not be qualified to deal with them.
And Mr MacLean says health bosses will just turn round in a couple of years and close the unit because it would not be viable.
Extract Bracknell Times 22/09/1994

 

Where has the NHS gone?

The Heatherwood and Wexham Park NHS Trust's Strategic Proposals for Heatherwood Hospital make chilling reading for anyone from the Bracknell area who is likely to be a patient there.
For example the report says "blue light ambulance emergency patients should continue to be taken to other hospitals" and "emergency back-up with appropriate transport for unforeseen emergencies would be provided from Wexham Park" for the proposed "home-style (maternity) unit run by experienced midwives".
Given the distance between Heatherwood and Wexham Park on roads which are often congested the only appropriate transport at busy times of day would be by helicopter.
The report also says "it is no longer possible to provide proper medical cover for in-patient paediatric and specialist neo-natal services at Heatherwood".
Given the lack of public transport from the Bracknell/Ascot area to Wexham Park and long journey times even by private car, this will mean more mothers, babies and children being separated from each other and from the rest of their families at times when they most need to be together.
Where has our National Health Service gone? Councillor Juliet Clifford, Popeswood Road, Binfield.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 22/09/1994

 

MP Is Wrong to be Delighted

I was surprised to read in last week's newspapers that MP Andrew Mackay had welcomed the changes to services at Heatherwood.
Mr MacKay says he is delighted his constituents will still have a maternity unit and an accident and emergency unit.
Mr MacKay is wrong, there will not be an accident and emergency unit at Heatherwood, only a minor injuries unit.
The "maternity unit" will have no special care baby unit and the management of the hospital cannot specify what medical backup will be available for emergency caesareans and epidurals.
Furthermore consultants involved in providing maternity care at Heatherwood have declared publicly that the new proposals are unsafe.
Mr MacKay is prepared for those of his constituents without cars to trek over to Wexham or Royal Berkshire to visit their babies and children when the children's ward at Heatherwood closes.
He is prepared that they should accept the distress and financial worry that may be involved. (A premature baby could be in an incubator for three months).
Presumably this is because Mr MacKay accepts that these changes have come about as the Trust Board claim - through a national shortage of doctors, particularly paediatricians.
What his constituents want to know is why isn't he doing something about that instead of welcoming a series of proposals which could put their lives at risk?
Mandy Williams, County Councillor, Binfield.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 22/09/1994

 

Mums sign up for row over hospital

Mums in Binfield have written a public letter urging people to fight to stop the axe falling on vital services at Heatherwood Hospital.
Many of the mothers had their children at the Ascot hospital and believe services such as accident and emergency and maternity should be retained. Documents released by health bosses for public consultation have suggested these services could be drastically reduced.
County councillor Mandy Williams is backing the mums in their fight and urging people to write expressing their fears to the various governing bodies.
The 'community letter' is being distributed in the Bracknell area advising residents to write to the Berkshire Health Authority, the Community Health Councillors well as the Trust Board and local MPs.
Virginia Begg from Murrell Hill said: "I cannot understand why they want to reduce services at Heatherwood when the area is growing.
"My son recently hit his head on a step, his eye was bleeding and he was very groggy.
I just managed to get him to Heatherwood, mopping his eye and trying to keep him awake while I drove.
"If there had been only a minor injuries unit at Heatherwood I would have had to call an ambulance.
"There is no way I could have driven to Wexham Park and cared for my son," she added.
Extract Bracknell Times 29/09/1994

 

Action Group Sets Out Hospital Need

Well over 100 people turned up at the first meeting of an action group set up to save services at Heatherwood Hospital.
Residents concerned at the possible loss of vital services from the hospital flocked to the meeting in South Ascot on Friday.
And organisers say they hope there will be as good a response when they stage a meeting in Bracknell tomorrow (Friday) night.
Chairman Jerry Glynn said the meeting was a great success and people learnt a lot from it.
He said: "We gave a presentation on what the Trust say they are looking to do at Heatherwood and also on updated population figures for the area."
Mr Glynn said the figures showed a marked increase in the number of people living in the Bracknell and Wokingham areas and these should be taken into consideration when deciding what to do with the hospital.
Questions were voiced about the problems of transport to Wexham Park with hold-ups on the roads and the high cost and infrequency of public transport adding to the worries.
Mr Glynn said: "Poorer families would be very badly hit with the cost of busses and the opening of Lego Land will create more problems."
Cut-backs in the maternity unit and paediatrics were also discussed and a presentation was given by a representative of the National Childbirth Trust.
Mr Glynn, who was involved in the last campaign to save Heatherwood some five years ago, says people should get involved in the fight.
And he is hoping for a good turn out at this Friday's meeting at the Cooper's Hill Annexe in Bracknell at 8pm.
Extract Bracknell Times 06/10/1994

 

Crowthorne

Rosemary, who at one time was probably Crowthorne's busiest voluntary worker and who was instrumental in the setting up of several clubs and facilities for the well being of villagers, has now been elected to the East Berkshire Community Health Council which acts as a watchdog on local health services.
As a member of its community sub-committee, she has already raised the problems faced by Crowthorne people if accident and maternity services are cut at Heatherwood Hospital.
She would welcome input and feedback from local groups on any health issues in the community.
Extract Bracknell Times 27/10/1994

 

Trust Booster

A £16.5 million seven year programme has been announced by Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals Trust.
The cash will be spent on building work at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Beaconsfield Advertiser 09/11/1994

 

We've Heard That Answer Before

Bracknell MP Andrew MacKay has been taken to task after sending out two identical letters to a couple in his constituency.
Retired teachers Wilf and Barbara Hirst had written to him objecting to planned changes at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot.
But Mr MacKay has hit back at the Hirsts, saying they are "left wing socialists who are consistently trying to harass me for political ends The couple, from Warfield Street, Bracknell, sent their first letter in October after attending a public meeting on the changes.
They listed their worries about proposed cuts to services at the hospital and called for Mr MacKay to "support Heatherwood as a proper hospital to meet the needs of Bracknell and Ascot".
Mr MacKay responded promptly with a letter telling the Hirsts that he had been robustly campaigning against 'unreasonable curtailment of services' and promising to continue to monitor the matter.
But the couple were disappointed that the reply did not mention any of the individual complaints they had made so decided to write again only to receive exactly the same letter as before.
The sole difference was the date at the top of the page.
Mrs Hirst said: "We replied to the first letter from Mr MacKay as we were alarmed at his response only to have another stock response.
"We are not impressed. Mr MacKay is not reading the letters or considering the issues raised."
But Mr MacKay said he was doing his best to answer all the letters he has received about Heatherwood.
He said: "This is obviously a very contentious subject and I do have a standard reply on my word processor which I update regularly.
"I do not remember the Hirsts asking me to answer any individual points. They are well-known to me, though, and I think they are trying to manipulate the Press for political reasons."
Extract Bracknell Times 10/11/1994

 

Hospital Campaigners Must Re-group

Wake-up to what's happening to your hospital, Heatherwood!
In 1991 you, the local people, powerfully opposed any loss of services at Heatherwood with "The Save Heatherwood Hospital' campaign and a 70,000 strong petition, a chain of people from Bracknell to Heatherwood, public meetings and letters.
So 'they' withdrew their plans and we thought we had won! Not likely! For 'they who think they know what is best for you and me' never gave up their plans. Their long-term strategy came up with "The Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospital Trust'.
Such initiatives as 'Heatherwood in the Community' and such slogans as 'Caring for You', together with a new manager called, 'Hospitals' Community Manager'.
The result Liaison a steady erosion of the opposition to their plans, especially among some who played a leading part in the 'Save Heatherwood Campaign'.
"They' said they wanted to create opportunities to listen to the views and wishes of the community and incorporate them into their Business Plan for the hospital and make the community fully aware of the services that the hospital offered and planned to develop in the future.
So what are these plans? A glossy booklet, "The Way Ahead' which tells us We will have: A minor injuries unit NOT a full accident and emergency department;
A mid-wife led maternity unit; And the removal of the intensive care/special care baby unit and the Rainbow ward to Wexham Park Hospital
this, they say, is due to the grave shortage of paediatricians but they do not seem to advertise or try to attract any of these scarce medical people.
What are we? A British democracy? quango land which decides what is best for you and me.
Stand up and be counted. Make your feelings known AGAIN. Write now and demand that your hospital must stay as a centre of medical excellence to serve you and your children, the local people.
Jerry Glynn, Chairman, Heatherwood Action Group.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 10/11/1994

 

Storm Growing over Heatherwood Cuts

Councillors in both Crowthorne and Sandhurst have vowed to fight the planned cuts in services at Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
They are acutely worried about the reduction in accident and emergency care and very concerned that most mothers who would have expected to give birth at Heatherwood will have to go to Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, instead.
"There's a great deal of concern around the village at losing some of the facilities," Cllr Surtees Hall told Crowthorne Parish Council last week.
He hoped that full services at the maternity unit, "largely paid for by local fundraising", would he reinstated and that the loss of a full A&E department would also prove temporary: "I want some reassurances that this is not regarded as permanent," he said. And Cllr Michael King said that Heatherwood's apparent reduction to the status of a cottage hospital was "totally unacceptable".
He claimed that although the hospital blamed a shortage of paediatricians on the need to transfer many maternity facilities to Wexham Park, it could recruit an extra specialist if it really wanted to.
"We should make representations and shout loudly. I am not convinced that sufficient will is being exercised," he said.
And Cllr Jim Finnie said he hoped local GPs would opt to send patients to Frimley Park or Royal Berkshire Hospitals instead of to Heatherwood.
Sandhurst Town Council has already expressed concern that Sandhurst patients who have traditionally used Frimley Park Hospital although it is outside the health district will lose out because of the proposed closure of the Cambridge, military hospital at Aldershot.
It has told the Health Secretary of the detrimental effect the closure of the military hospital would have on Sandhurst people and it is to object to the cutbacks at Heatherwood.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 10/11/1994

 

Fears For New-Born Babies

by Charles Nelson
Fears are growing that the safety of new-born babies could be jeopardised if proposed cuts in services at Heatherwood Hospital get the go-ahead.
In an emergency, new-born babies or mothers with complications may have to wait more than 45 minutes for specialist medical help to arrive from outside.
At present there is a special care baby unit at Heatherwood, partly funded by local residents and companies, to deal with such cases.
But hospital chiefs want to slash the unit, and other essential services, as part of a major exercise to reduce young doctors' working hours.
The unit, including its emergency equipment, is being transferred to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough.
And the 24-hour paediatric cover is being dramatically reduced.
A paediatrician will only be on-hand between 9am to 5pm on weekdays and on-call out of these hours.
Bosses for the Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospital's Trust say that adequate support will remain to treat MOST babies in need of urgent post-natal care.
But they also admit that it may be necessary to drive a team of specialists in from Slough to deal with some emergencies.
And this has raised serious concerns amongst councillors and residents who fear that such a delay could mean the difference between life and death.
Bracknell town councillors expressed their fears at a heated meeting last week after presentations by representatives of the Heatherwood Action Group and the Trust.
Speaking afterwards, Cllr Tricia Brown said: "However unlikely it may be, there are going to be cases where a baby is put at risk because equipment and experts are not on hand.
"It just seems daft to separate maternity and paediatrics it must be unsafe. The distance will put babies at risk."
Jerry Glynn, of the Heatherwood Action Group, said: "The drive over from Wexham could take at least 30 minutes and in heavy traffic it could take 50 minutes or an hour."
The trust insists that most complicated births will go to Wexham Park or another local hospital.
Extract Bracknell Times 17/11/1994

 

It's Close to Opening Time

The keys to a new cancer hospice were handed over to fund raisers, medical staff and campaigners on Monday.
The Paul Bevan House hospice, situated in the grounds of Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot, will provide invaluable care for up to 15 cancer patients at any one time.
A small group first came up with the idea for the day centre-style hospice over a decade ago.
They included Dr Geoff Cook, Pearl Pack, Liz Peake, Gill Sullivan, Doreen Lancefield and Macmillan Nurse, Stella Dillon.
And two years ago fund raisers from the Paul Bevan Cancer Foundation began raising the £750,000 needed to pay for the project.
Numerous charity events have been held and cash has been flooding in from the public, companies and trusts.
Construction firm Longleys have now finished the work and it is expected that the doors will be opened to the first cancer patients in January.
Julia Lawson, speaking for the trust, said: "We are all very excited by it all."
Facilities at the hospice include a hairdresser's, alternative medicines, massage and a special assisted bath and shower.
Enticing meals will be served up and patients will be able to meet with friends and relatives in a large and comfortable lounge.
Extract Bracknell Times 24/11/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by three photo.
The photo captioned:"Liz Peake, site co-ordinator, receives the keys from Martin Aldridge of Longleys, watched by fund raiser Julia Lawson, site manager David Salter, and architect Malcolm Barnett".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Hospital Services Cutbacks Suicidal

The proposed plan to run down some of the services at Heather- wood Hospital cannot be tolerated. With a growing population in and around this area, any changed would be suicidal.
I myself have a grateful memory of Heatherwood. In 1972 I sustained a severe painful right knee.
Battle Hospital could not attend to me at least for three weeks so my doctor referred me to Heatherwood.
In just a week, first to the casualty department and then to the orthopaedic consultant, I was admitted as an in-patient.
I spent a week in Heatherwood and received the treatment, best care and attention I could have wished for.
The catering was also excellent. Sadly the costs are the problem.
In 1972, the cost per day for an in-patient was £11 so my week's stay in Heatherwood was £77 and goodness knows what my treatment cost if I had had to have paid the bill.
Well done Jerry Glynn. I am on your side.
Anthony J Bowden, Old Native of Wokingham, (address supplied).
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 24/11/1994

 

In Praise of MP MacKay

I read with interest, your article headed 'Hitting back at MP', published in the Bracknell TIMES, which relates to correspondence entered into by a Mr and Mrs Hirst to Mr MacKay, regarding Heatherwood Hospital.
I was one of several hundred people who attended the meeting on this subject at the Licensed Victuallers School, as a result of which I wrote to Mr MacKay voicing my concern at the proposed closure of the 24 hour Accident and Emergency services.
I received a very prompt reply to my letter in which Mc MacKay stated, and here I quote: "I am in close touch with the organisers, the Hospital Trust and very many constituents to ENSURE THAT A PROPER SERVICE IS MAINTAINED AT THE HOSPITAL."
It is to be hoped that the authorities concerned will take note and that our MP's change of mind, added to the weight of public opinion on this matter will result in the threatened services being preserved and maintained at Heatherwood.
AL Hoskins, Chairman, Martins Heron Residents Association, Setley Way, Martins Heron, Bracknell.
Extract Bracknell Times 01/12/1994

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo showed Andrew MacKay, captioned:"Andrew MacKay-prompt action".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Bracknell Is Always Hit

It seems to me that the historical accident which linked Heatherwood and Wexham Park hospitals in a single NHS Trust has had most unfortunate results for the people of Bracknell.
The trust, and even the Berkshire Health Authority, have distributed services between the two hospitals as if they served a single population.
Even worse from Bracknell's point of view, whenever it has become difficult to provide a service on both sites it has been in the service at Heatherwood which has been run down.
Given the difficulty and cost of travelling from Bracknell to Wexham Park by public transport, and even by private car during rush hours, this is a most unsatisfactory situation which will undoubtedly get worse if the Trust goes ahead with its new round of cuts in services at Heatherwood.
If a separate NHS Trust were to be set up for Heatherwood this would give it a fighting chance of survival as a proper general hospital. With a change of Government we could even hope for Heatherwood to expand to meet the needs of our growing population. Cllr Juliet Clifford, Popeswood Road, Binfield.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell & Wokingham Times 08/12/1994

 

Crowthorne

Friday, December 9 It's bingo time again at 7.30pm tomorrow (Friday) at the Morgan Centre in Wellington Road.
The monthly session in aid of the Paul Bevan Cancer Foundation day hospice at Heatherwood Hospital includes tea and coffee, a bring and buy stall and raffle. Admission is 50p.
Extract Bracknell Times 08/12/1994

 

Double Boost For Heatherwood

Peter Lynam was so pleased with the care and treatment his wife received at the hospital's maternity unit that he and Bracknell ambulance staff raised over £6,000 to buy new equipment.

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo:"Last Wednesday Peter (fifth from left) from Warfield, presented staff with two Dinamap machines which measure blood pressure, pulse and temperature.
Also pictured are (left to right): Helen Mangune, Tim Goddard, Mark Millins, Frank Garfield, Peter Lynam and Girly Cheng.".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

Staff at the Woodlands Day Hospital, part of Heatherwood's mental health department, celebrated the opening of a new therapy room last Wednesday.
The Snoezelen room is a sensory and stimulation therapy area which benefits mentally and elderly mentally ill patients.
The Dutch concept uses aromatherapy, massage?, psychedelic lighting and soothing sounds as a form of relaxation. The room cost £8,000 and. was paid for by the Patients' Committee, patients' relatives, the WRVS, and local companies including Bentalls.

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo:"Picture below shows: Marieanna Southon from the patients committee cutting the tape at the opening.".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.
Extract Bracknell & Wokingham Times 08/12/1994

 

Iver Heath

On Monday December 12, Dr NB Smith, chairman of the Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals Trust and Mr Chris Neale, chairman of the Slough Hospitals League of Friends received gifts from funds made available from the League of Friends of Iver Cottage Hospital which was closed several years ago.
The gifts included a ventilator and blood analysis machine for the Intensive Therapy Unit, a Thomas the Tank Engine trolley specially adapted to carry children from the Accident and Emergency department and a knee mobilisation machine which will speed up post operative recovery.
Francois Tsang, Senior Nurse Manager in ITU at Wexham Park expressed his thanks to the League of Friends.
Extract Bracknell Times 21/12/1994

 

Pensioners Stage Hospital Protest

by Charles Nelson
A special edition of the borough council's magazine asking for the public's views on hospital cuts has sparked allegations of bias.
The Town and Country magazine, which has been delivered free to all homes in the Bracknell area, asks people to fill in a questionnaire about proposed reductions in services at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot.
The leader of Bracknell Forest Borough Council Bob Angell says the survey is intended to gauge public feeling on the cuts before it makes its formal response to the consultation put out by the hospital's trust.
But the edition has outraged many pensioners who claim that the 10-page article puts across the pros for the cuts without putting over the cons.
And they claim that the council has wasted money over 33,300 copies were distributed at an overall cost of £10,200.
There are fears that cuts in the accident and emergency service at Heatherwood will have serious repercussions for elderly people in the Bracknell area.
Pensioners gathered outside the borough council offices on Saturday in protest demanding that people boycott the questionnaire.
Pat Ryan, leader of the Bracknell Pensioners Action Group, claimed: "This is an affront to democracy it's pushing a political line.
"The council has done a disservice to Bracknell by not putting across both views.
"It's loaded in favour of the trust's view and it's not an objective view of both sides. I'm recommending a boycott."
And county councillor for Binfield Mandy Williams also condemned the questionnaire for its one-sidedness.
She claims it is a stalling ploy aimed at giving the borough council time to see where other councils stand on the cuts before it makes its own decision.
Council chiefs on the county's social services committee have expressed "grave concerns" over the proposed cuts.
Pat Ryan leads the pensioners' protest
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 22/12/1994