EDITORIAL COMMENT

In line with our policy of endeavouring to recruit more help for the Standard we wish to point out that its staff are ultimately given their responsibility by the J.C.S.C. In view of the nearness of this committee's first meeting we suggest contact with your delegate as a good means of influencing the overhead management of The Standard.

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Social Therapy Review

As the changeover between sporting fixtures, football to cricket, netball to rounders, takes place there is a lull between seasons. The gap has been bridged by the table tennis knockout now completed, and the five-a-side football which begins on Monday. Between 25 and 30 patients attended both rounds of the table-tennis and although the standard of play wasn't exceptionally high there was some improvement towards last year's standard.

The results of the tournament were as follows:

Mens Singles	P. Neenan (M8M)
Ladies Singles	B. Mitchell (F1Up)
Mixed Doubles	B. McKiever & M. Small (F4Up)
Mens Doubles	F. Whitby (M8M) & W. Davies (F5Up)
Ladies Doubles	S. Sunning (F6Up) & B. Mitchell (F1Up)

Shopping afternoon is now on Wednesdays. They are proving more successful especially now that the weather is warmer and we are able to use public transport. If any ladies or gentlemen need accompanying to town would you please contact the department as early as possible so that a time-table may be organised.

On Tuesday evening the Social Therapy Variety Show once again took to the road for the last performance of this season which was to be given at Rainhill. We arrived to find a beautiful hall with a fully equipped stage and dressing rooms at our disposal. The show was scheduled to begin at 7.00 p.m. and the audience were ready on time as well as the performers. After the performance which was well appreciated we were given a lovely supper and Mr. C.E. Gordon, the Voluntary Services Organiser for Rainhill gave a vote of thanks which was answered by Mr. Thomasson who once again accompanied us with his wife. The next show will be in late September or October and we hope that all those who have joined in will join us again and many thanks to everyone concerned.

K. Appleton

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WE ARE HOPING TO FORM A RUGBY TEAM OF HOSPITAL STAFF, WITH A VIEW TO ENTERING A LEAGUE NEXT SEASON.

ANYONE INTERESTED PLEASE C0NTACT:

B. Platt	M. 3 Up
P. Taylor	Female Upper Delph

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Swimming Pool Fund

I would like to thank. Nurse Smith (F, 4 Up) on behalf of Mrs. Ogden of Ward and Goldstones Ltd., for the donation of £3.00 to the above fund.

The total sum now stands at £341.21.

A. S. Kennerly

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Letters to the Editor

I would like to thank the O & M team leader, Mr. Clifton, for his comments in last week's issue of the Standard about my article, the Eclipse of the Staff Nurse (Standard 7.4.72).

The reference in that article to the O & M team was not intended to be regarded as a statement of fact but as an expression of a point of view which might be taken by people who resent any sort of lay intrusion into the field of mental nursing.

Incidentally, I personally don't take this viewpoint. In my opinion the large psychiatric hospital is an institutional dinosaur which must undergo major changes in structure if it is to survive. Laicization of patient care maybe an essential part of such an evolution and of course O & M surveys still show us where lay help is most needed.

One day, as a result of such surveys, the H.O.N.S. may be advertising for paid foster-relatives to visit patients and to take them on weekend leave, and this may have a priority equal to the recruitment of nursing staff.

C. Breslin.

How much we appreciate for the patients the lovely view of flowers and gardens outside Female 8 Down and 9 Down.

It has made such a difference having a lovely outlook. Well done Mr. A. Bradbury, and No. 1 group patients who have worked so hard. Keep up the good work.

M. Mather
L. Sweeting.

Monthly Branch Meeting C.O.H.S.E.

1.5.72 9.00 p.m. in the Visiting Room.

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Household effects required to brighten up Ward M. 3 Up (preferably unbreakable). Ornaments, Pictures, Books, etc. If you have anything of this nature to dispose of please contact:

Miss J. Bate
Unit Nursing Officer

Your Support is Vital

A silent march and protest meeting against the working of the present Abortion Act is to be held in Liverpool on Sunday, 30th April, at 2 p.m. The speakers include:

Mr. Leo Abse M.P.
Mr. Malcolm Muggeridge and a
Gynaecologist

This rally is sponsored by the Merseyside Branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, whose members include people of differing faiths and non believers. It is entirely voluntary and depends on Charity for its continuing fight against the millionaire abortion empire.

No matter what private views or individual opinions we may have on abortion, whether or not it is permissible in exceptional cases, etc., it is now time for everyone who has regard for human life and dignity to unite and show strong disapproval of this present Act, and that a majority of people wish to see parliament amend the many loop holes present in the Act, for abortion was never intended to be 'Abortion on Demand'. This society is campaigning for changes in the law which would satisfy both public and medical opinion and halt the horrifying trend towards devaluing all human life.

Please give your support the the rally.

T. Keegan.

Further details may be obtained from Society for Protection of Unborn Children
Mr. T. Donnolly,
50 Linmouth Road,
Liverpool 17.

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FIRE DANGER WITH PLASTIC FOAM

Plastic foam is used more and more nowadays in modern furniture and bedding.

It is most important therefore to realise what a potential killer it can be.

A chair covered in polyurathane foam can be totally destroyed by fire in 100 to 140 seconds.

A recent coroners inquest heard how a woman died after being burned in her blazing bed when the polyurethane mattress caught fire. The inquest was told that a cigarette end was found by the bed and the mattress had been extensively burned. It could only be assumed that the woman had fallen asleep whilst smoking.

This substance should not be left near any heat source. It could ignite spontaneously.

Polythene mattress covers are another fire hazard not normally recognised and care should be taken not to expose these covers to flame.

C.P. Evans.

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Emily Dean, T.N.A., died 17.4.72. The funeral was held on Thursday, 20th April and was attended by the Head of Nursing Services and members of staff.

Welcome To:-

Mrs. S. McDermott N.A.
Mrs. S.A. Leonard N.A.
Miss C. Crook Pre-pupil

Farewell To:-

Pupil Nurse Sheena O'Connell
T/SEN Edith Brooker

Congratulations to Gary Say on his appointment to Charge Nurse

Severalls Course, Mr. Wright, Mr. Horrocks and Mr. Casson

Visits:
Tuesday, 25th April: Pre Nursing Students, Mabel Fletcher
Friday, 28th April: Pupil Nurses, Billinge Hospital.

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We are informed by the Library that numerous requests for books have been received but that they have at present no stock other than the books on the Library shelves.

Salary Scales - Psychiatric Hospitals.

Grade	Minimum or Age Point	Incremental Points								Lodging charge where resident
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Ward Sister/Charge Nurse	1,506	1,554	1,602	1,656	1,710	1,761	1,812	1,869	1,920	219
Deputy Ward Sister/Deputy Charge Nurse	1,260	1,323	1,386	1,449	1,512	1,575*				189
Staff Nurse	1,188	1,260	1,329	1,398*						189
Enrolled Nurse	1,053	1,098	1,143	1,188*	1,233					159
Nursing Assistant
Age 21 or over Age 20 Age 19 Age 18	909 801 759 720	945	981	1,017	1,053	1,089				129 57.60 57.60 57.60
Student Mental Nurse
(i) Age under 21 on entry Age 18 Age 19 Age 20	720 792 837									28.80 57.60 57.60
(ii) Age 21 or over on entry 1st year 2nd year 3rd year	945 978 1,011									117 117 117
Pupil Nurse
(i) Age under 21 on entry Age 18 Age 19 Age 20	720 792 837									28.80 57.60 57.60
(ii) Age 21 or over on entry 1st year 2nd year	945 978									117 117

* After 3 years on this point the nurse shall receive a further increment of £84 to give a salary of £1,659 or £1,482 as the case may be.

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