EDITORIAL

Editorial comment in this the first issue of The Standard, will of necessity be more lengthy than in subsequent issues, this for two reasons, first in order that we might take the opportunity to explain editorial policy and secondly to describe as far as possible the initial ideas concerning its form, frequency of publication, and the hopes which lie at the base of its purpose.

The Staff Consultative Committee has undertaken the responsibility for compilation and publication, and they in turn have enlisted the help of those whose names appear on the inside cover to deal with the mechanics - for the rest, THE STANDARD is YOURS, an instrument of expression of especial value for the manifestation of ideas that "might lead to beneficial change" as the Chairman so aptly describes it in his foreward.

The Standard itself is the outcome of thought and suggestion as to how best to make generally available information of common interest, and in this sense alone its launching could not have been better timed, since there is no doubt that both nationally and locally the ensuing months are pregnant with change, the extent to which those changes are explained and understood will determine largely the degree of their acceptance, and it is upon the measure of that understanding and acceptance that ultimate success will depend.

For instance almost co-incidental with the publication of this first issue has been the announcement in the House of Commons of the Government's intentions to re-structure the Health Service as from 1974. The plan upon which the proposals are based is still subject to comment and possible revision, and through the columns now available we hope to follow the progress of those revisions and explain in detail the effect which the proposed changes will have on those working at ground level.

Again locally and after seventy years the Management Committee has broken with tradition and proceeded to the appointment of a Head of Nursing Services, with the specific intention not merely of preparing for Salmonisation but in order to bring the whole of the Nursing services at Winwick Hospital under single control and direction. This single act on the part of the Management opens up tremendous possibilities, but no thinking person can be unmindful of the fact that the progress of integration must follow a process of education and indeed perhaps conversion if it is to achieve the desired end.

Also on the home front the direction and control of the domestic services are to be divorced from nursing responsibility. After years of patiently building up the staffing structure we believe that we have now reached the stage when domestic help is now available in sufficient quantity to tackle the problem in its entirety - but in this field as in others the change will call for some re-orientation of thought and attitude if the result to the patient is to be an improved standard of living and wellbeing.

April 1972 is now the date fixed for the amalgamation of the Winwick and Newchurch Group of Hospitals with those of the Warrington and District Hospital Management Committee. This Damoclean Blade, which has been suspended as it were over our heads for the past ten years is at last to descend. The apprehensions and tensions which have been the accompaniment of uncertainty have without doubt handicapped progress, but when set against the background of the ultimate concept of Health Service Management the union can be seen not only as a necessity but as an instrument by means of which the progress of the psychiatric services can be speeded up to the point where they can play a more purposive and positive role in community living.

These are but examples, given to illustrate a fast changing situation, and such as will spotlight the value of providing a periodical means through which staff can express and make known just what they think and contribute ideas born of experience.

The present form and lay-out is experimental and has been adopted solely because other forms of presentation considered to date demand too great a time interval from the receipt of contributions to the time of publication.

It is felt at the moment that The Standard should be issued weekly each Friday, on the basis that news should be circulated before it becomes history, and facts should be set down as such before they become phantasy. Whether this objective can be achieved will depend upon the measure of support given and whether staff really desire involvement to the point of taking the trouble to sit down and write out the outcome of their experience and be prepared to submit them for the digestion and comment of their colleagues.

Correspondence, comments and informative contributions will be welcomed by the Editors and will receive the most careful consideration. All contributions which must bear the name of the contributor can be handed to any member of the editorial board, but contributions received after Monday morning can in no circumstances be considered for inclusion in the following Friday's issue.

"New occasions teach new duties.
Time makes ancient good uncouth."

SOCIAL THERAPY - NEWS, VIEWS AND REVIEWS.

I will start this, my first (and perhaps my last) article in the fervent hope that it will provoke comment, favourable or otherwise, with the following two statements:

Social nursing is a beneficial and accepted part of the general aim towards the complete rehabilitation of our patients here at Winwick Hospital.

The need for a continuous, organised and varied programme of social activities can hardly be denied in view of the ever-increasing participation and involvement at ward level, especially in the female division of the Hospital.

If only a fraction of the above is true, why is there still a very great distinction between THEM and US? Do we just pay lip-service to modern ideals, and still feel, deep down, that a great majority of our patient population are just second class citizens?

One hears it stated that the policy is "Patients' activities should relate as nearly as possible to those enjoyed by the community at large". BUT... around 9 o'clock at night, what then?? We have at 8.55 pm, frantic day nurses and at 9.05 pm, frantic night nurses (which of the two being usually determined by seniority) unable to rest until all are safely in bed. In the same vein, I may add that I am still acutely embarrassed when, at social functions, a nurse will, with all concern, say "That's patients' tea, Mr Jolley, ours will be coming soon". (In special cups).

Perhaps I've already said more than enough, but is it really surprising that institutionalisation continues?

J.A. Jolley.

TUTORIAL COMMENT.

It is with pleasure, and no small amount of pride, that every four months I see an intake of student nurses complete their eight weeks' introductory period in the Nurse Teaching Department and prepare to commence duty on the various wards. During this introductory period every effort has been made to impart to the student as much professional knowledge as is possible in the time available. Included in this instruction is the necessity for a nurse to be at all times "well turned out", that is - clean and tidy and presenting a good professional "image". This they most certainly do whilst in the school.

However, all too often I am disappointed, and sometimes dismayed, by the appearance of some of those students when I again see them but a short time later. In some instances only a week has elapsed, and during this time their care in personal appearance has deteriorated dreadfully.

Some examples are - extremely dirty 'white' coats which are left flapping loosely open because there are no buttons in situ; an amazing variety of shirts of various hues; and ties of 'loud' colours. The female students generally do themselves more credit, although occasionally one sees a female student whose appearance is ruined because of a hideously excessive application of make-up, resulting in a most unprofessional appearance to say the least.

I would therefore like to stimulate comment on this subject, and I ask..............

a) Is this a true and fair statement?
b) Is it a desirable state of affairs?
c) What are the causes?
d) How may we improve the situation?

G. O'Mahony.

CONGRATULATORY

Head of Nursing Services

Our congratulations go to our Matron, for as this issue goes to press on the 1st June, she assumes the mantle of responsibility which signifies her new role as Head of Nursing Services.

In the face of national competition reinforced by national and regional assessment Miss Nita Coppack secured the appointment, how much this success was due to the possession of proven capacity and ability and how much to the influence of crossed fingers and good wishes would be difficult to determine, but certain it is that an abundance of the latter followed her into interview and with the result we are all delighted.

She faces a formidable task, but we believe she has all the constituent elements which make for success, we not only wish her well, but also assure her of unstinted support and full co-operation.

Examination Successes

Elsewhere in this issue, the Tutorial Staff speak of pride in the completion of work well done, and once again that sense of pride is justified in the results of the G.N.C. Pupil Nurse Assessments, and in those of the Council's Intermediate examination, both of which are just to hand.

We congratulate those who by the aid of ice packs, wet towels and determined effort have achieved success.

The results as set out hereunder represent almost 100% of the entrants, well above the national average, and consistent with the level of success that has attended the work of our Tutorial Staff for many years past. They must be pleased, and we are delighted for them and our congratulations go to them as well as to the candidates who reflected their good training.

G.N.C. Pupil Nurse Assessment

Mrs. J, Anziani
Miss A.L. Stringfellow
Mr. J.H. Wilson

Intermediate Examination

Mrs. D.L. Prescott
Miss P.H. Scott
Mrs. E.D. Sutch
Mrs. M.A. Worrall
Mr. C.M Errigadoo
Mr. G. Mannion
Mr. A.K.D. Ramtuhul.

"Initiative is the spark but effort
the fuel in assaulting the
mountain of achievement"

SPORTS SECTION.

P.E. ON SPORTS DAY.

Each year the ladies have performed a P.E. Display on Sports Day and last year, for the first time, were joined by the men. This was such a success that we will be putting on a similar display this year. It must be added that the ladies have maintained a very high standard for the last eight years.

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NETBALL

Again the Staff Netball team have won the Inter-Hospital League Cup (Third Year running), and are well fancied for the Tournament Cup on 5th June, 1971.
Our Patients' team have also won the Inter-Hospital League, as they have done for the last six years. Keep it up, Girls!

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SWIMMING

Last year we had the kind offer from Red Bank School of the use of their pool for practice. We were very pleased to accept, but had to withdraw from the Inter-Hospital Competition through lack of response.

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TABLE TENNIS

We entered a team in this sport for the first time last season, and didn't do too badly. With more competition we hope to do much better next time.

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CHESS CLUB

Last season was perhaps our best yet. In the Warrington League, where we meet our strongest opponents, we have improved our position from bottom to half way up. In the Hospitals League we were runners-up to Broadgreen in the League, whilst carrying off the prize in the newly instituted K.O. Competition. Certainly the standard of chess here has never been higher.

During the close season we are holding our own Club K.O. Competition in two divisions, the first for established and experienced players, the second for newcomers and members whose experience has been limited. We will publish the results in future issues.

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ATHLETICS

The Regional Athletics Meeting will take place at Winwick Hospital again this year - on 19th June. The omens are good - we think we have a good team again this year - and mean to prove it. Although the ladies' team have lost Sister Downey and Miss Sylvia Heath, who always gained points for us, some promising newcomers look like tipping the scales in our favour.

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FOOTBALL

This has been a very good year as, despite the loss of our first three games, we rallied strongly and won all the rest, to finish runners up in the Manchester Regional Hospitals Cup by only one point. The medals were presented at a special dance in the Social Therapy Department.

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ENGAGEMENTS

MARRIAGES

BIRTHS

Good wishes for married bliss to:

Margaret Appleton and Kevin Bryan, for whom the bells will ring on Saturday, 12th June, 1971, at 4.15 p.m. at St. Margaret's and All Hallows, Orford.

John F. Settle for whom the knot will be tied to Julie Dawn Porter on Saturday, 24th July, 1971 at St. Annes, Tottington.

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A V E

WELCOME TO:-

Beatrice Harrison	Nursing Assistant
Patricia McDonnell	Pre-Student
Maureen Donnelly	S.E.N.
Christine Andrews	Wardmaid
Florence Hewitt	Wardmaid
Marjorie Mann	Wardmaid
Marjorie Davies	Wardmaid
Doreen Cross	S.E.N.
Philip Allan	Nursing Assistant
C.J. Marmon	Nursing Assistant
Peter Carey	Works Assistant

ATQUE

V A L E

Irene Reynolds	Industrial Therapy
Irene Goodban	Industrial Therapy
Glenys Jones	Secretarial Typists

FARE THEM WELL

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

COVER DESIGN

We are indebted to Mr. Ulrich J. West, for our cover design. Mr. West has now left us in order to train as an Art Teacher of Mentally Handicapped Children.

We wish him well.

E.Fox
J.A. Jolley

Joint Editors