Editorial Comment

'The Standard" is one of the items on the agenda for the J.C.C. meeting of September 14th. The minutes of this meeting will undoubtedly be of relevance to the future development of our hospital magazine.

** ** ** ** ** **

Social Therapy Review

Colwyn Bay was the scene for a wonderful week's holiday had by Pat Farrimond, Shirley Dunning, F.6. Up, Ann Scott, F.7 Down and Ethel Shaw, M. 2Up. A small guest house was recommended to us and certainly lived up to its name. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all staff concerned in the preparation of this holiday. Some hard work went into getting clothes and personal items ready once again, thank you. The weather was extremely kind to us, and having travelled by car we were able to see some of the Welsh coast and Landmarks, namely: Conway Castle, The Great Orme, The Welsh Mountain Zoo, the Marble Church at Boddel and Erias Park at Colwyn.

The first rehearsal for the Variety Show was held last Thursday, 7th September, at 8.00 p.m. If anyone is interested would they please contact Social Therapy.

Will staff please note that Swimming is now cancelled for the Winter. On Tuesday evening we are now running a Whist Drive, Domino Drive and Darts Competition.

Coning shortly - Manchester Black and White Minstrels who will be giving a show for both patients and staff.

There is a coach booked to go to Crosfields on 3rd October to see "Fiddler on the Roof" for patients and staff. Price 62p inclusive, anyone interested please contact Social Therapy.

Last Tuesday afternoon, 5th September a fixture was cancelled and we utilized the coach to take all F.7 Down ladies, Sister Terry and staff, to Sherdley Park. The Cafe vas open and everyone had tea, crisps and ice-cream. An enjoyable afternoon.

P. Farrimond

** ** ** ** ** **

Letters to the Editors

I an writing, rather belatedly, to convey my most sincere thanks to everyone who was present, or in any way connected, at my final official attendance on Tuesday, 22nd August, 1972.

May I say how pleasing it was to see so many there. It was rather difficult to say a formal goodbye to those I had worked with and I regret that in my inadequate remarks I did not express myself efficiently in attenpting to convey my deep appreciation to all my colleagues. I should like to thank all who contributed to my presentation gift.

Finally, I must apologise for not writing before but I hope you understand that not only have I been involved in my new appointment but also with the turmoil associated with house removal etc. Perhaps you might care to print this letter in 'The Standard° so that my thanks can be conveyed to everyone concerned!

With kind regards,

G. A. Greenwood.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

Re.~ Winwick Hospital Photographic Club

On behalf of the members and officers of our Club, I would like to thank you for your kindness in the publicity given to us recently. However, I would like to point out that the information is not quite correct as, for some time now, we have not been meeting on a Monday evening and we do not meet in the room indicated by you. We now meet on Wednesday evenings, next season starting the 20th this month. Anybody interested could obtain further information from Mr. E. Miller Hall Porter.

Thanking you very much.

R. R. Steinert.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

Hard on the heels of our apology to Mr. Beck comes this to the Photographic Club for publishing such out-of-date information on their activities. We are grateful to Dr. Steinert for his "not quite correct", and hope that the extra publicity will be of advantage to the Club.

Publications Committee

Gone Fishing

Thanks to the endeavour of Mr. Jolley, twenty patients and three staff recently enjoyed the first of (I hope) many fishing trips, when they visited the River Clwyd at Rhyl, North Wales, Thursday, August 24th.

The venture started out with something of a surprise, for we were unlucky enough to obtain the services of a coach driver who had never been to Rhyl before! So, turning round near Colwyn Bay, our party eventually arrived at the Clwyd one and a half hours after the tide had gone out.

Undaunted, the fishing party - resplendent with rods, tackle and baskets - threaded its way along the river bank, reminiscent of a safari into the unknown. The first real obstacle to overcome was a sea of mud, and, volunteering to show the way, I soon found the mud deeper than anticipated. Not only was I covered in mud, but I had also torn my trousers in a most embarrassing place!

Not to worry - a couple of safety pins later we were all happily drowning worms in the Clwyd. Mr. T. Warburton (Male 10's) was fortunate to have his own fishing tackle, whilst the rest of our intrepid team were equipped with rods and gear which had been kindly lent for the occasion.

Full of enthusiasm, but a little disappointed at the absence of fish, I left my rod in the capable hands of Mr. P. Burns - a natural fisherman - and wandered downriver to see how much success the local experts and other holidaymakers had achieved.

I was quietly standing near a couple, who were also fishing, when the woman proudly asked her husband to show me his catch. He showed me the contents of his keep-net, and gave me some of his expert advice. His wife then continued the conversation by telling me that she had been in a psychiatric hospital for several years because of a 'nervous breakdown'. She went on to say that, with the help of the doctors and nurses, she had made good progress, but in her opinion it had been her husband's taking her out on fishing trips and into the community that had given her total recovery.

The couple still had no idea that I was a nurse, so, leaving then thinking that I was merely another holidaymaker, I returned to our fishermen.

The rest of the day was uneventful enough; we didn't catch any fish, but the trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all. There is little else to add, apart from the fact that Mr. D. Thornley (M. 4 Down) decided to return to Winwick by rail without informing anyone, and our diligent search for him resulted in our being deprived of liquid refreshment on the way back. Incidentally, the coach driver was thankful to be directed home by a much shorter route.

Anyone who would like to come fishing with us in the future is welcome to do so - we can promise you a whale of a time.

W. Casson

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Industrial Relations: Code of Practice

Part IX Disciplinary Procedures

1. Management should ensure that fair and effective arrangements exist for dealing with disciplinary matters. These should be agreed with employee representatives or trade unions concerned and should provide for full speedy consideration by management of all the relevant facts. There should be a formal procedure except in very small establishments where there is close personal contact between the employer and his employees.

2. Management should make known to each employee:

a) its disciplinary rules and the agreed procedure;
b) the type of circumstances which can lead to suspension or dismissal.

3. The procedure should be in writing and should:

a) specify who has the authority to take various forms of disciplinary action, and ensure that supervisors do not have the power to dismiss without reference to more senior management.
b) give the employee the opportunity to state his case and the right to be accompanied by his employee representative.
c) provide for a right of appeal, wherever practicable to a level of management not previously involved.
d) provide for independent arbitration if the parties to the procedure wish it.

4. Where there has been misconduct the disciplinary action to be taken will depend on the circumstances including the nature of the misconduct. But normally the procedure should operate as follows:

a) the first step should be an oral warning or in the case of more serious misconduct, a written warning setting out the circumstances
b) no employee should be dismissed for a first breach of discipline except in the case of gross misconduct.
c) action on any futher misconduct, for example, final warning, suspension without pay or dismissal, should be rendered in writing
d) details of any disciplinary action should be given in writing to the employee and, if he so wishes, to his employee representative.
e) no disciplinary action should be taken against a shop steward until the circumstances of the case have been discussed with a full time official of the union concerned.

Concluded.

This series was taken from the H.M.S.O. booklet - Industrial Relations - Code of Practice.

Publications Committee.

** ** ** ** ** ** **

Work Study Part 3

The Human Factor (contd.) The Supervisor

The work study specialist must convince top management of the value of work study, because he needs their backing, but his most difficult problem will probably be the attitude of Foremen and Supervisors. He must win them over if he is to obtain good results from his work; indeed, their hostility may prevent him from doing any effective work at all.

The foremen and their assistants represent management to the workers on the shop floor, and just as departmental managers will take their attitudes from the top manager, so the workers will take theirs from their supervisors. If it is evident that the foremen think that "this work-study stuff is nonsense", then the workers will make no efforts to carry out his suggestions, which, in any case, have to come to them through their foreman.

Unless the whole purpose of Work Study and the procedures involved have been very carefully explained to the foreman before the Work Study man starts work in the shop, so that he understands exactly what is being done and why, the foreman is likely to be difficult, if not actually obstructive, for many reasons, among them the following:-

He is the person most deeply affected by Work Study. The work for which he may have been responsible for years is being challenged; if the work study application is succesful in improving the performance of the shop, he may feel that his prestige in the eyes of his superiors and of the workers is lessened.

He may feel that his status has been reduced because some of his responsibilities, such as planning of work, making up of time sheets, setting of piece rates, hiring and firing of labour, have been taken away from him.

If disputes arise or the workers are upset he is the first person who will be called upon to clear matters up, and it is difficult for him to do so fairly if he does not understand the problem.

The relations between the work study man and the foreman is the most difficult of all the relationships, and it must be good. One of the best methods of ensuring that this is so is to provide the foreman with proper training.

J. Shaw.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

Welcome to:

Cadet Nurse Janice Haynes

Farewell to:

Miss Jane Porter, Temp. Pharmacy Assistant

Attending 3 weeks course at Mabel Fletcher College

C/N Peake
C/N Say.