EDITORIAL COMMENT

One of the most able and best respected administrators who ever held the reins at Winwick was wont to quote the phrase that "The Lord tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" and certainly if the behaviour of the elements last week was any indication, then Winwick must be completely bereft of protective covering. We were fortunate indeed to choose, out of an otherwise wet week, the only two drier days for our outdoor activities. Although we had only a sprinkling of sunshine, we didn't suffer the indignity of dodging between the showers or getting soaked through.

The Hospital Sports day, a prelude in recent years to the Regional Athletic Meeting, was a good success, and the added attractions of well organised side line activities, gave it a garden party atmosphere which added considerably to the afternoon's pleasure - as well as helping to lay the financial foundations for a project which some of us have been brooding over for some considerable tine.

The Athletic Meeting on Saturday reached the usual high standards both from the point of view of organisation and performance. The women's lib movement must have benefitted as from a shot in the arm by the fact that the girls pulled it off again, not only winning the women's championship trophy, but doing so with a margin big enough to bridge the gap that lay between sectional success and overall triumph, and enabled the combined efforts of both men and women to secure the main Hospital Championship Trophy. Our congratulations to then all.

The Standard

We would appreciate "news" items, especially those of a personal nature, that might be of interest to readers of The Standard. A telephone message to the Editors or to Mrs. Naisby is all that is required - the more we have in the way of "eyes and ears" the more valuable will be our "voice".

The Vandals

During Saturday night considerable damage was caused to the marquees which were erected for our use on the Sports Field. The damage was without doubt purposeless and mischievous to the point of being malicious, and renders the Management Committee liable for the cost of considerable repairs.

The same night someone broke open the new aviary, causing damage to the structure either stealing or setting free one of the budgerigars and passing sentence of death on two others.

We do not believe the damage to be of patient origin, nor do we believe patients have been or are responsible for similar acts of vandalism and wanton destruction which have recurred from time to time.

We cannot have it both ways, we cannot on the one hand preach the gospel of freedom from incarceration without running the risks associated with opening the gates.

Freedom of access into the grounds of the Hospital is a constituent and necessary element in an educational process to change public attitude towards psychiatry, whilst the benefits are immeasurable, the cost in terms of damage must be kept to the barest minimum. The grounds are private and in no sense are they to be regarded as a public park, and to divert expenditure to the provision of costly patrols would mean curtailing expenditure on projects which carry a much higher priority rating.

There is evidence for the view that young hooligans bicycle mounted, emulating the behaviour of the skin heads at holiday resorts are making Winwick the target of their activities, they come in, park cycles under trees, do damage, re-mount and chase off, clever in their own conceits.

Can we beat them? Must they be allowed to destroy the work we are trying to do? Shall their abuse of privilege be allowed to lead to the point where honest to goodness citizens are to be deprived of the pleasure of cultural amenities? The answer must be NO.

Remember, the offenders in this regard are impudent, offensive and threatening, but beyond this cowardly.

One answer to the problem, though there are others, is that of corporate vigilance. Upon each one of us devolves the responsibility to keep a sharp look out, notify the Hall Porter of any untoward happenings, if possible remove any bicycles left lying around so that the owners will have to enquire as to their whereabouts and apply for their return, chase off children, but please take care lest haply you nay be on the receiving end of physical hurt at the hands of young ruffians.

The grounds of the Hospital are our pride, and over the years have lent the Hospital prestige, help us to maintain the standard.

Joint Consultation

It is regretted that Mr. McKendrick's otherwise excellent article on Joint Consultation, onitted the names of Dr. J. E. Howie, and Councillor B. Eaves as members serving on the Management Side. We apologise most sincerely to these two gentlemen for the oversight and assure then of our appreciation of the work they have done on staff relations over many years.

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NURSING ADMINISTRATION.

With effect from Monday, 26th June, 1971, the Nursing Administrative Offices will be situated in the existing Assistant Matrons' Office, Telephone No.226, and will be occupied by the Assistant Matrons and Assistant Chief Male Nurses until Unit Offices are available. The Assistant Chief Male Nurses' Office will then be used for clerical and distributive purposes only.

Mr. J.E. Wright, Deputy Chief Male Nurse, will occupy a new office next to mine, at the present obtainable on the external phone only.

Mr. H.A. Moss, Chief Male Nurse, Miss M.T. Downey, Deputy Matron, and myself will retain our own offices and telephone numbers.

As previously, I am available to see any nursing staff between 9.15 am and 9.45 am and 2.15 pm and 2.45 pm, and at other times by appointment.

N. COPPACK.
Head of Nursing Services.

 

COLLECTIVE EFFORT.

When the idea of raising some money on Sports Day for a Swimming Pool Fund was first voiced at a Ward Sisters' Meeting, whilst being heartily in agreement with the idea, I felt somewhat sceptical because of the limited time available for preparation - only nine days in fact.

During these days, I frantically searched through "bottom drawers" joined in discussions on such topics as "where should the donkey's tail be" and even agreed to bake a cake (with the help of Mary Baker).

As the enthusiasm reached fever pitch on Thursday morning, I felt reassured that our venture would be a success. It was obvious that our contribution to the pool would not be a mere pittance, we would make at least £50 and the stalls looked so attractive that they would obviously provide both pleasure and interest to us all.

How wrong I was!! Mr. Kennerly (who agreed to act as Treasurer) has just shown me the financial result of what proved to be an extremely enjoyable afternoon, £215 - 17 to date with a few extra contributions still to come. A result far in excess of anyone's wildest dream and proof once again of what we at Winwick are capable of achieving when we really work together as a team.

To everyone involved, patients, staff, relatives and friends I say a most sincere thank you for all the goodwill and hard work that you poured into Sports Day and that resulted in such a pleasurable as well as a lucrative success.

N. Coppack.

R.S.V.P. - >We acknowledge with gratitude.

A fortnight ago four of our patients, two ladies and two gentlemen, were offered and accepted the hospitality of Mrs. Joan Prescott and her family for a week at Blackpool. They obviously enjoyed this unexpected holiday and our congratulations go to Stella who won a Talent Contest on the pier.

Last week Pat Coleman and Hannah Stoll were the guests, of Penketh Women's Institute, and greatly appreciated the welcome they received at the party being held on the evening of their visit. It is most gratifying to know that we are remembered in this way by people not directly connected with Winwick, and our thanks are sent to Mrs. Prescott and the Penketh Women's Institute for such kind gestures.

Others Return Thanks.
Extracts from letter to Ward Sister.

"I wish to thank you and all the nurses for the kindness shown to my sister on the occasion of her 70th birthday.....She has been a patient in Winwick Hospital since 1934, since when my family and I have visited regularly.......During these years I have seen many changes at the hospital and always for the better......May I add you certainly do a worthwhile job and deserve to be paid much more than you get."

How satisfying to find that there are those who share our own beliefs!!

THE GOAL IS STILL THE SAME.

How stimulating and encouraging to find someone questioning the present attitudes to the use and purpose of occupational and industrial therapies (J. Parkinson - "The Standard", l8th June, 1971), but this is no more than I would hope for from a nurse trained at Winwick.

As Jeff Parkinson so rightly suggests, the criterion for any patient activity should always be its therapeutic value. I have always believed and taught, and will continue to teach, that all treatments should be prescribed quite clearly by a doctor. The only justification for prescribing treatment is the belief and hope that it will bring about some change in the patient, and therein lies the importance of it being a medical prescription. To me the prescription for occupational therapy is of as much consequence as that for drug therapy and it should state quite clearly either the type of activity wanted for the patient or the kind of effect e.g. sedative, stimulating, etc., it is desired that the occupation should have on him. The day has not long passed when all occupational therapy had to be prescribed by the doctor - I would like to see this requirement reiterated.

Jeff is a little off the mark in suggesting that Occupational Therapists should be taught about mental disorder - this is already done and probably very adequately. He is perhaps confusing trained Occupational Therapists with our band of largely untrained but dedicated, though perhaps at times misguided, Occupational Therapy Helpers.

W. Morris.

 

REGIONAL ATHLETICS MEETING

It was generally acknowledged by visitors and competitors alike that the scene set for the Regional Athletics Meeting was an organisational triumph, to which we make haste to add that from our point of view it was no less a triumph in performance.

On each count it was the result of excellent team work spurred on perhaps in the performance field by equally good leadership, encouragement and support.

To Messrs. W. Stewart and J. Wood, and their staffs we are greatly indebted for a lay-out that would have done credit to any A.A.A. championship meeting, and the fact that this is the result of sustained effort and attention to detail over the years, was reflected in a record entry of 291 competitors. It is a pleasing thought that regional participants like coming to Winwick.

The Officers in charge of the pre-planning, the running and recording of the various events turned on a faultless performance and ensured a smoothness of operation which many competitors commented upon and all appreciated. It should be remarked that the voluntary acceptance of office involves not only the acceptance of responsibility but as well danger from flying missiles and explosive weapons. This was evidenced by the ferocity of the explosion from the starting pistol which caused irritation and pain in the cornea of the Rev. Nunn's left eye, but who after treatment came back for more, looking as one wit observed, like Nelson on the foredeck of his flagship Victory.

The catering staff excelled themselves and to each and everyone who made a contribution we express our gratitude.

The results of individual events can be found on the notice boards, and have had separate circulation, but we set out hereunder in bare bone statistical fashion the individual contribution of Winwick Competitors to the total scores. Indicative of effort as they are, they form only part of the story, and apparently overlook the part played by those who did so much in building up the supporting enthusiasm, and in some cases by tactical running and participation set the pace and at times held off dangerous opponents to the point of ensuring final placings for their team mates.

Congratulations to Miss C. Parr in gaining not only the trophy for the highest individual score for women, but as well the Victor Ludorum Trophy. Tony Haughey deserves our plaudits no less, because despite the fact that stature forbids his participation in the speed events, he nonetheless finished only one point behind the highest individual score for men and, as can be seen, played a distinguished part in the hospital's successful bid for the overall championship trophy.

To us who are mere observers it seems clear that the mastery and exploitation of technique, can go far to compensate for any lack of natural ability and/or strength. In our class of athletic prowess it is comparatively easy to distinguish those who by concentration and continued practice have prepared themselves for the final tests. Beyond that the results speak volumes, we are proud of those who carried the banner for Winwick, and were equally proud to see it fluttering aloft at the end of the day.

WOMEN'S TEAM AWARDS (L.R.H.B. ROSE BOWL)

	Points		Winwick Scores
1. Winwick	85	C. Parr	22
2. Clatterbridge	32	J. Devine	20
3. Nat.Blood.Trans.Serv.	26	A. Sutcliffe	12
4. West Cheshire	19	B. Ward	10
5. Warrington	4	L. Hankinson	7
6. Birkenhead	3	P. Farrimond	5
6. Rainhill	3	S. Lynch	2
		Relay Team	10

 

MEN'S TEAM AWARDS (J.B. JOHNSON TROPHY)

1. West Cheshire	63	A. Haughey	16
2. Clatterbridge	47	J Jolley	6
3. St. Helens	35	S.C. Jolley	3
4. Winwick	30	R.J. Wilson	2
5. Rainhill	19	D. Murray	1
6. Whiston	17	M. Skeech	1
		R. Staniforth	1

 

CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE TROPHY (L.R.H.B.)

1. Winwick	115
2. West Cheshire	82
3. Clatterbridge	79
4. St. Helens	35
5. Nat.Blood.Trans.Serv.	31
6. Rainhill	22

 

VICTOR LUDORUM (L.R.H.B.) TROPHY

Miss C. Parr, Winwick    22
Women's Individual Miss C. Parr, Winwick
Men's Individual Mr. G. Vickers, West Cheshire
Tug of War West Cheshire - Cannell Shield
National Blood Transfusion Service- Runners up.
 

A V E

WELCOME TO:

J. Harrison

Wardmaid