Heatherwood Hospital 1996

85 Year Old in Hospital Bed Ordeal

An 85-year old Bracknell woman, who spent eight hours on a hospital trolley because no one could find her a bed, is still recovering after her ordeal.
For Ellen Boswell, 1996 began with doctors and nurses at the Royal Berkshire Hospital searching frantically for a bed, while she lay on the trolley in severe back pain with no idea where she was.
The staff at the Reading hospital spent much of Tuesday, January 2, searching for a space in five different hospitals in the area.
Mrs Boswell, who is blind and partially paralysed, had been rushed to the hospital at 6.30 that morning.
But hospitals, including The Royal Berkshire, Battle, Wexham Park, Heatherwood, and Frimley Park, were all full.
It was half past three that afternoon before a bed was finally found at Heatherwood.
Now, she is still recovering, but her condition is said to be comfortable.
Mrs Boswell's nephew, Michael Bedford, described the string of problems leading to the ordeal.
"My aunt has been living in sheltered accommodation at Dennis Pilcher House near the Ascot Road," he said.
"Over the last four years services there have been reduced severely they used to have 24 hour wardens. Now they are just there from nine to five."
He explained that because of this Mrs Boswell had to call the emergency service agency, Forest Care, if she needed help to go to the toilet during the night.
Someone would then come out from a central depot.
Over Christmas, Mrs Boswell had two falls, leaving her frail. She got worse and had to call out the service during the night.
They called her doctor, but he was on holiday so a locum appeared.
He issued a prescription, but eventually another doctor had to be called.
He tried to get Mrs Boswell admitted to hospital, but again no success.
After another bad night, she was taken to casualty by Forest Care.
She was then left on a trolley for eight hours.
"My aunt was on medication and totally disorientated. She lost all her dignity because of this," explained Mr Bedford.
"The doctors and nurses did everything they could, but they were as frustrated as I was."
But Bracknell Forest Borough Council's deputy housing officer, level of care at the Dennis Pat Murden, explained that the Pilcher House had been increased.
"We set up the Forest Care service 24 hours a day to provide an emergency service no warden worked 24 hour days." A hospital spokesman said the delay was caused by the hospital being swamped by record numbers of people needing hospital treatment after black ice turned roads into a skating rink.
She said: "We had more than 40 orthopaedic cases from falls over the holiday period, it was an extremely busy weekend.
"We tried to find Mrs Boswell an elderly care bed and were waiting for one to become free in the afternoon but we have a hospital nearer her home and she has been transferred to Heatherwood."
Ann Sheen, director of nursing at the RBH, said she had not seen it so busy in her whole nursing career and put out an appeal on Radio Berkshire pleading for off-duty nurses to help out.
When she leaves hospital, Mrs Boswell is expected to go into a nursing home.
Extract Ascot & Bracknell Times 11/01/1996

 

Hospital Cuts Will Cause Growing Pains

REF: Redwood interfaces with computer company (TIMES, January 25, 1996)
we were very pleased to see the above article published in your newspaper.
Although we were unaware of the reason for the visit we had some very frank discussions on both business issues and on local concerns.
One of the local issues which we raised was our deep concerns with the growth in population in the area, amidst the cutting of services such as the closure of the casualty department at Heatherwood Hospital.
John Redwood shares this concern also, and he assured us that he is constantly raising this issue with the government minister concerned.
He did, however, point out that it is up to local businesses and the local population to take up the issue with the government directly.
We were pleased that John was able to take the time to come and see us, and we were able to present him with a copy of WINZIP, one of our data compression products, which we hope he will find useful.
Incidentally, the photograph shows myself with John Redwood, not Ed Samson as stated.
The meeting was held in my office and the only two people to talk to John Redwood were John Farrell, Sales and Marketing Manager and myself.
I hope this clarifies the mistakes in the article which I believe happened because your reporter rang our office last Wednesday when I was in Amsterdam, and spoke to Ed.
Louis A Ramsay, Director, Business Target four Development, Limited, Imperial House, 8 Oaklands Park, Fishponds Road, Wokingham.
Extract Bracknell Times 01/02/1996

 

Revamped Ward for Mums To Be

Expectant mothers are in for a treat when they visit Heatherwood Hospital's newly decorated labour rooms.
The revamped facilities at the hospital in Ascot form part of the midwifery led maternity unit for low risk mothers and is part of £1 million worth of redevelopment planned at the hospital in 1996.
Spokesperson for Heatherwood Jackie Lawton said that the wards would be staffed by a midwife-led unit supported by community midwives with full medical back-up in cases of emergency.
However, chairman of the Heatherwood Group Advisory Jerry Glynn believes the new facilities do not go far enough towards meeting the needs of mums to be. "We are very impressed with the brand new labour rooms which form part of the midwifery led maternity unit for low risk mothers.
"We are also pleased to learn that the maternity unit will have a doctor in attendance.
"However, we are still pressing for 24 hour maternity facilities that cater for the needs of low-risk and high-risk mums including full paediatric services."

Extract Bracknell Times 07/03/1996

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo captioned:"► (from left) Midwifery sister Helen Mangune, chief executive Frank Collins and midwifery sister Joyce Cruse officially open the newly refurbished ward".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Goodbye to Sue

A Heatherwood hospital catering assistant has retired after devoting more than 19 years of service. Loyal employee Sue Wah Lim joined the team in 1971 when she came to England from Singapore.
Sue was particularly well known with visitors to Heatherwood House because of her catering responsibility at training events and meetings there.
Catering manager Barry Romilly said: "We have all enjoyed working with her over the years.
She always knew what needed to be done and helped to encourage other staff to meet the targets of the department.
We are all going to miss her." Sue is looking forward to retiring to her new flat in Ascot and spending more more time with her friends at the Royal British Legion Club.
Extract Bracknell Times 14/03/1996

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo captioned:"She is seen pictured right with Barry Romilly.".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Donation to Sick Children

Essential equipment to test the level of oxygen in the blood of sick children has been donated to Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot.
Johnson and Johnson presented the pulse oximetres to staff in the children's centre on Monday.
They are attached to a youngster's toe or finger and are particularly useful for those suffering from asthma or severe infection.
Extract Bracknell Times 21/03/1996

 

Hospital Worker Falls to His Death

Staff and patients at an Ascot hospital hospital were left stunned after an engineer who was working on the roof was dramatically killed.
Clifford Brown, aged 35, suffered massive internal injuries after a huge aerial mast fell on him while he was working at Heatherwood Hospital.
Two ambulance crews rushed to the incident and doctors from the hospital climbed up onto the roof to treat him.
They battled for two hours to try to save him, but he was certified dead on the scene.
Mr Brown, who was an engineering contractor for Mercury 1-2-1 communications, was working above ward eight on Saturday when a mast pole hit him on the upper chest.
A Mercury spokesman said all such work has been stopped while an investigation is carried out to make sure it is being done correctly.
He added: "It was very, very unfortunate and we are all extremely sad and upset. The company's thoughts are with the victim's partner and family."
It is still uncertain what caused the accident, which is also being looked into by the Health and Safety Executive, but the spokesman explained there are clear procedures to follow.
He added: "It is a cruel and heartless thing to say but accidents do happen.
This is the first fatality we have had with this sort of work.
"It could have been a loose tile on the roof and he slipped or the tiles could have been perfect and there was no problem there.
"We still do not really know all the details, and we are not passing the buck or blaming anybody.
When people are working up high occasionally accidents do happen like when people are repainting the Forth Bridge."
Staff and patients at the hospital, some of whom witnessed the drama, were also left shaken after the news.
A Heatherwood spokeswoman said: "Hospital staff were deeply shocked and saddened by the accident and the Trust wishes to extend deepest sympathy to the victim's family and friends."
Police and the Health and Safety Executive were notified and were quickly at the site of the accident, which happened at 9.40am.
Mr Brown, who was from Hertfordshire, was the only engineer involved.
A coroner's inquest opened on Tuesday and adjourned for a date to be set for the hearing.
A date has not yet been set for the funeral.
Extract Bracknell Times 18/04/1996

 

An Idea Is Born

The maternity unit at Ashford Hospital could be saved - if Midwives could midwives are put in charge.
Several departments across the country, including Heatherwood in Ascot, are run successfully by midwives.
Now health bosses are looking at the possibility of midwives being put in charge of the Ashford unit, where 1,700 babies are born every year.
Thousands of folk have signed a petition against the proposed closure of the unit and this could be one way of saving it.
Maternity department manager Liz Rodgers said: "Health chiefs will look at the possibility from every angle.
"A midwife-led unit would cater for women with low-risk pregnancies.
The only thing that would alter is that there would be no medical input.
"There would be strict criteria for who would be allowed to give birth at the unit to eliminate problems as much as possible.
"Women would receive continuity of care from the same midwife throughout their pregnancy.
"And Ashford is on the doorstep for women who need it." Sarah Corin Mills, of the National save maternity unit at Ashford Childbirth Trust, said: "In other units, if there is an emergency they can call upon a doctor working in gynaecology."
"If women want a maternity unit on their doorstep it is very important they should write to the health commission even if it is just a few lines."
If you would like to put forward your views on the future of the maternity department at Ashford, write to the West Surrey Health Commission, The Ridgewood Centre, Old Bisley Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 5QE.
A public meeting to debate the future of children's and maternity services at Ashford, St Peter's and West Middlesex hospitals is being held at Spelthorne Leisure Centre, Knowle Green, Staines, at 9.30am this Saturday, April 27.
Extract Staines Informer 26/04/1996

 

It's Not All Over Yet for Ashford's Maternity

Did you know the closure of Ashford's maternity unit is not a foregone conclusion?
Hard to believe, given the rumours flying around and the lack of information in the consultation document.
However, Simon Strachan, chief executive of West Surrey Health Commission, has written to GPS asking them to refer pregnant women as normal to Ashford and not to anticipate any particular decision ahead of June 6, the consultation deadline.
Women can still book with the unit, which may well become a midwife-led maternity service, Other successful units in Bournemouth and Heatherwood, Ascot, are delivering babies and attracting increasing numbers of women.
They offer fewer interventions and excellent outcomes for low-risk women and their babies and the midwives like them too.
The National Childbirth Trust is campaigning to keep maternity services local and ensure that women have a genuine choice in line with government policy,
Changing Childbirth. SARAH CORIN-MILLS Chairman, Staines, Ashford, Egham NCT Hardell Close Egham
Extract Sunbury & Shepperton Herald 09/05/1996

 

Bracknell's New Town Mayor

Bracknell's new town mayor mother of six Yvonne Veakins, has all sorts of plans for the coming year.
Yvonne, who has been on the town council for a year, was elected on Friday. She said: "I am a bit terrified at the moment but I am sure I will fall into it.
"Seeing my face in the paper will make a change from seeing their father's for my children!" Husband, Don, a borough councillor, is heavily involved with Heatherwood Hospital.
She has chosen as mayor's charity one which helps children with mental handicaps, feeling mentally handicapped charities are left out.
Yvonne has been involved with her local church in Ascot though this will stop now she is mayor.
"I wanted to get involved because I felt there was an awful lot of injustice.
I used to be a Conservative abroad when I lived in Africa and when I came here I thought injustices were quite prevalent," she said.
Cllr Snelgrove stood down because of her commitments as the prospective Labour Parliamentary candidate for Bracknell.
Extract Bracknell Times 23/05/1996

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by a photo.
The photo captioned:"(pictured receiving her chain of office from outgoing mayor, Anne Snelgrove)".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photo here.

 

Rigger's Death Prompts Safety Changes

A telecommunications firm has changed its methods after a man was crushed to death by an aerial while working on a hospital roof.
Clifford Brown, 35, a rigger for Mercury One-to-One, was taking down an 18 kg aerial from Heatherwood Hospital on April 13 when the tragedy happened.
Mr Brown, who was not wearing any safety equipment, died of acute blood loss after his ribs punctured vital organs.
An inquest last week heard that after a visit to the site by an inspector of the Health and Safety Executive, the company has stopped all such work.
Workmate Michael Martin, said: "If he needed a harness or hat he would have had it on.
I knew Cliff well enough to know he would use it, but there were no dangers."
The jury heard that Mr Brown, from Hertfordshire, climbed up a ladder to loosen the bolts around the aerial pole.
Mr Martin added: "I was working in the cabin when I heard a loud crash, a hissing noise and a bang. "I looked up and saw him coming down the wall. Cliff was hanging on and then coming down upright, feet first.
"He managed to slide down the pole half-way and got his foot on the ladder and I got him down to the floor and he collapsed."
Mr Martin said his colleague had been hit in the back by the bottom of the antenna.
Gary Manning, health and safety manager for Mercury, said there were no special safety instructions as the men were employed for their skill and expertise in deciding how to carry out a job themselves.
He added: "The riggers have since drawn up a method statement outlining a controlled manner in which this type of job can be done using a pulley system."
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
Extract Bracknell Times 30/05/1996

 

Neighbourhood News,Englefield Green

A caribbean ball, in aid of the Ascot-based Paul Bevan Cancer Foundation, will be held at the Anugraha Hotel, on Saturday, July 6, starting at 7.30pm for 8,
There will be a three-course dinner and dancing to the Miguel Barradas Steel Band and Penguins Discotheque.
Dress is black tie or Caribbean style and tickets, at £30 per person, are available from 01344 20956.
The Paul Bevan Cancer Foundation was set up in 1982 and last year the Queen opened Paul Bevan House, a day hospice for cancer sufferers in the grounds of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
Extract Herald & News 06/06/1996

 

Kevin First Home in Run Across Eight Parishes

Walkers and runners gathered in the sunshine to make their way through the eight parishes of Bracknell.
Around 129 people set off from The Look Out and walked or ran the Braccen Heal ramblers route which takes on the ancient name for Bracknell.
Organiser Sheila Alway said: "We are quite pleased with how it went and the weather was good. "The runners like the multi-terrain route rather than road running.
"And some had a casual stroll and made a day of it,it is a fun day mainly." Some took it seriously like the runner on the right and completed the course in quick smart time.
The fastest man was Kevin Bennett from Crown Wood, Bracknell at 3hrs 10mins and the fastest woman was Kathy Tytler from Reading at 5hrs 30mins.
Others, like those pictured below, enjoyed a leisurely day out over a route which passes through all the parishes of Bracknell borough.
Binfield, Crowthorne, Winkfield, Warfield, Sandhurst, Wokingham Without Sunninghill and Bracknell.
It is hoped that between £200 and £300 has been raised which will go to the physiotherapy department of Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot.
A team from the department also took part in the 12km route of the walk.
Extract Wokingham Times 13/06/1996

Comment:- The above article was accompanied by two photos.
The photo captioned:"as described above".
Copyright prevents us from displaying the photos here.

 

Going Out,Fetes & Exhibitions

Saturday, June 15
10am to 12 noon Pykes Cottage, Forest Road, Wokingham.
Coffee morning in aid of the Heatherwood Hospital Stroke Team.
Stalls include nearly new clothes, etc. Sandwiches available.
More information on 01734-788837.
Extract Bracknell Times 13/06/1996

 

Route Marshals Needed to Keep Walkers Going

The organisers of the Braccen Heal Walk, which takes in all eight parish- es of Bracknell, are searching for marshals.
All the members of the Beehive Wanderers Walking Club want to walk on the day, so they need some volunteers to hand out drinks and check people in. Next year the event will have three strands - a walk, a multi-terrain marathon and a multi-terrain half marathon.
Organiser Guy Alway said: "We are desperate for marshals it is a vital job. Without them there is no walk." This year the event was in aid of the physiotherapy department Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot.
Anyone willing to help out at next summers walk can telephone 01344 59645 or 01344 57666.
Extract Bracknell Times 20/06/1996

Comment:- The above article was accompanied a little too late as the walk had already taken place.

 

Fury At Hospital's Raceday Parking

By Lisa Davies
Heatherwood Hospital has caused uproar by cancelling clinic appointments so parking spaces could be hired out to Ascot racegoers.
Drivers were charged £10 a day to park in the grounds during the four day extravaganza of racing, star spotting and fashion.
Councillor Anne Snelgrove, Labour's prospective Parliamentary candidate for Bracknell, complained that patients should not have had to wait an extra week for appointments.
"Bracknell people wait long enough for appointments as it is. They should not be made to wait even longer for frivolous reasons," she said.
"The hospital needs to make it easier for people to attend appointments during Ascot week, not harder.
"Heatherwood Hospital is a health provision, not a business.
It is there to treat people, not to make money out of its car park.
" However Jackie Lawton, the hospital's public relations manager, voiced disappointment at Cllr Snelgrove's, comments, because she had already talked to a trust representative about the situation.
"It would appear from Cllr Snelgrove's response that she has clearly misunderstood the issues.
Heatherwood Hospital has been working in this way during Ascot week for more than 10 years now, and there is nothing different about this year's arrangements.
"Along with all other residents of the Berkshire area, we know what to expect in terms of access to, and congestion around, our site," she added.
Operations, day surgery procedures and urgent or emergency treatment were unaffected.
Ms Lawton said people used to park at the hospital free before fees were introduced, taking up valuable space needed for patients, visitors and staff.
"The charges for car parking have now been going on for many years and it is a well-planned and managed operation.
"The spaces that are designated for use by racegoers are in the perimeter of the site and are usually used by staff - visitors and patient car parking areas are not affected," she added.
Extra staff were employed to run the service so proceeds from the car park offset this cost.
Any other money that is collected is used to improve services for patients and staff at the hospital.
Mandy Williams, Labour's prospective Parliamentary candidate for Windsor - which includes Heatherwood has also slammed the move as increasing congestion around the site.
"Whatever the hospital says about their motives for renting out car parking spaces to racegoers it inevitably inconveniences patients and has more to do with earning a fast buck than patient care," she added.
Extract Bracknell Times 27/06/1996

 

Hospitals Maintain Big Ratings Improvement

Reading's hospitals have shown a general upward trend with more top performances in medical services, according to star rated league tables published by the Government today. The Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust has maintained a massive improvement in performance last year with many services coming top in the country.
Crucial accident and emergency figures won a four out of five star rating, with 92 per cent of patients assessed within five minutes of arrival, despite record numbers of patients during one of the coldest winter spells spells dubbed "slippy Sunday".
That January weekend saw more than 40 extra patients admitted from falls alone, because of black ice. An RBH and Battle Hospitals Trust spokeswoman said: "This was something we were really worried about because the hospital was being assessed for league tables at the time."
At other similar hospital trusts John Radcliffe, Oxford, and the Heatherwood, Ascot, and Wexham Park, Slough (one trust), the accident and emergency ratings were respectively 92 per cent and 96 per cent. Part of the improvement in Reading is put down to the opening of new assessment rooms at the RBH and Battle, which enable a nurse to classify patients for treatment before seeing a doctor.
Last year, the RBH and Battle hospitals trust also scored a four-star rating, with 91 per cent of accident and emergency patients being seen within five minutes. In comparison, Heatherwood and Wexham Park trust had a two-star rating with 84 per cent of patients being seen within five minutes.
Extract Bracknell Times 02/07/1996