Crewe News

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

MP’s 111th news bulletin

Edward Timpson MP

Saturday 11, February 2012

Welcome ...

Welcome to this my 111th news bulletin.

This week marked National Apprenticeship Week – a celebration of apprenticeships and how they are helping to shape our workplaces. Apprenticeships are about learning on the job, not sitting in a classroom but getting out into the workplace and learning a new trade.

Who knows where an apprenticeship may lead, the likes of Jamie Oliver; the Formula One engineer Ross Brawn and Eric Clapton all started out as apprentices. Up and down the country hundreds of thousands of young people are following in their footsteps and realising the life-changing opportunity becoming an apprentice affords.

Here in Crewe and Nantwich we gained 550 new apprentices last year, an increase of 80.9%. And we are not alone: across the country there was a 63 per cent increase as 450,000 people started an apprenticeship last year. With yet more investment by the Government we are sure to see this number rise.

This week David Cameron announced businesses and training providers can bid for a share of the £6m Higher Apprenticeship Fund, which will support the development of new Higher Apprenticeships in sectors including aerospace, energy and renewable technologies. An additional £250m will be available to businesses to boost skills in their workplace.

So why do I think more people from Crewe and Nantwich should be signing up for apprenticeships?

Many in Crewe and Nantwich may leave school and not know which way to turn. One option may be university, another to travel in a gap year or simply work. But there is another option – becoming an apprentice. And the best thing is that this option allows you to earn and learn at the same time.

The second fantastic thing about apprenticeships is the skills they provide. More and more employers are saying that graduates and school leavers do not have the tools necessary for the working world. An apprenticeship is a great way of developing a young person’s skills, of tailoring them to the workplace.

But apprenticeships are not just a win for young people. They are beneficial to small businesses, such as At One printing in Crewe, which is why the Government has launched new initiatives to encourage more firms to take on apprentices. This way they can train people to their standard and in return get loyal staff and a quick recoup of their investment. As an added incentive from today any small business in Crewe and Nantwich who hires an apprentice aged 16-24 will be eligible for £1,500.

They are a boost for our economy – every £1 of public cash invested in apprentices returns an estimated £18 to the wider economy. This is vital at a time when new jobs and growth are what’s needed when we face the biggest economic crisis any of us have known.

Apprenticeships are a win for business, a win for young people and a win for the economy – that is why I am delighted that here in Crewe and Nantwich we are adding more names to the growing list of people realising their potential through an apprenticeship.

Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me.

You can forward the bulletin on to your friends and family, who can sign up themselves by clicking here for my website.

Best wishes

Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich

I have recently ...

Attended Monday morning's assembly at Brierley Primary School to help promote Cancer Research UK's Leap into Action Day
Spent my last two days on Thursday and Friday working at Leighton Hospital, mucking in with staff at all levels and experiencing their day-to-day jobs, including theatre, complaints, sexual health, maternity, neonatal and paediatrics. Look out for my diary detailing my experience in the Chronicle newspaper. Also please support the "One in Eleven" fundraising campaign for a new neonatal intensive care unit (for which I am a Patron) at Leighton Hospital by visiting this link
Went to the Bentley Dinner to support one of our largest local employers and discuss how the company can become even more involved in supporting the local community.
Questioned the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in the House of Commons about the "Protect Stapeley" campaign. Read more here

Westminster Report

Read my most recent Westminster Report

Click here or on the image

Photos & Video ...

Edward with staff at Leighton Hospital's Neonatal Unit

You can view all my photos and video at edwardtimpsonmp.com

Community News

Community & Voluntary Services Cheshire East

Looking to find opportunities to help out in the community? CVS (Community & Voluntary Services) Cheshire East is a Registered Charity whose aim is to be valued as the leading support and development organisation for the Voluntary and Community Sector in Cheshire East.

The CVS's volunteer team can support you in several ways:

Help you to find a suitable volunteer role
Help organisations to find suitable volunteers
Encourage best practice in volunteer management
To promote volunteering and the added value that it brings to our community

To find out more visit their website by clicking here
Do you have community news to share? Email me and it could be here too!

Nantwich MP Timpson attends Koconut Grove cancer charity event

Nantwich MP Edward Timpson joined in a fund-raising event at an Indian restaurant in Shavington.

He was at The Koconut Grove Indian restaurant at The Cheshire Cheese in aid of Cancer Research UK.

A charity auction took place in the restaurant with all the proceeds from the auction and raffle being donated going to Cancer Research UK.

Mr Timpson was in attendance to hold the raffle and auction that raised a £1,406 for the charity.

The MP said: “The Koconut Grove has raised an impressive amount for a very worthwhile charity.

“I commend Sreekumar Kolangat and his staff for their generosity and congratulate all those present on making it such a successful occasion.”

Sreekumar Kolangat, chairman and managing director of 3k Enterprises, said: “We were overwhelmed by the support and help we received from our patrons.

“Koconut Grove is always happy to contribute towards charities and need to support the needs of our local community.”

Leighton Hospital in Crewe unveils revamped orthopaedic unit

Crewe Chronicle

PATIENTS with broken bones will now have access to more efficient treatment thanks to a revamp at Leighton Hospital’s orthopaedic outpatients unit.

Improved facilities include an increased amount of privacy and dignity for patients, with eight individual consultation rooms replacing the original seven curtained cubicles.

The department, which incorporates the fracture clinic, now also has a specially designed plaster room, replacing the previous facility which was located in a portable cabin adjacent to the unit.

This new plaster room has facilities to allow for four patients to be seen simultaneously.

Matron Del Owen said: “The three-month refurbishment has created a much more efficient service and pleasant environment for patients, and has greatly improved the working conditions for our staff. The new reception and waiting area is light and airy, and also features a television for patients, courtesy of the hospital’s League of Friends charity organisation.”

Edward Timpson MP was also given a tour of the new facilities. He said: “I’ve been very impressed. The people of Crewe, Nantwich and the surrounding areas will be well served by having such a valuable clinic on their doorstep.”

“How much more of our money are they prepared to waste until the application finally fails?

“We will win this campaign,” said Mr Perris.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson tells of his experience growing up with foster children

Crewe Chronicle

Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson grew up with foster children. He talked to reporter Belinda Ryan about his childhood and what he gained from the experience.

CREWE and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson can’t really remember a time growing up when his parents’ home wasn’t full of foster children.

Mr Timpson was only five when his mum and dad, John and Alex, began fostering.

During the 30 years they acted as foster carers, they looked after nearly 90 children.

Mr Timpson says it was this positive experience which motivated him into practising family law and taking on the position of chairman of the all-party group on fostering and adoption.

“One of the things that really motivated me to do what I’m doing now is to try to help those children who find themselves in care, through no fault of their own, to get a better life and have a better chance to make something of themselves,” said the Conservative MP.

With more than 60,000 children in care, thousands of carers are needed up and down the country.

More than 1,200 extra foster carers need to be found across the north west of England in the next 12 months, according to the Fostering Network.

Mr Timpson still bumps into people who were fostered by his parents.

During last year’s election campaign he told how he met a man at a public meeting who was about seven years younger than himself who was fostered by his parents.

“When you talk to them and find out what they’re doing now and what they’ve made of their lives, it really hits home what my parents did and how much it’s played a part in these peoples’ lives,” said Mr Timpson.

The Tory MP admits his initial reaction when he discovered his parents had started fostering wasn’t as charitable as it might have been.

“I was nearly six and I came skipping home from school one day to find these two fairly loud children, aged five and three, downstairs in the kitchen,” he said. “As the youngest of three I was used to having my mother’s undivided attention and on finding I was to have to share her my reaction was to run upstairs in a huff, run into my bedroom, slam the door and refuse to come out until they left.”

His reaction didn’t last long.

“As I grew older I started to take on more of a caring role myself, helping to do late-night bottles, that sort of thing, and I could start to see what my parents were doing it for and it was quite rewarding,” he said.

“You could see the change in many of these children. They started to thrive under routine, their personalities came out and the resentment I had at the start just evaporated.”

5 ways to contact Edward Timpson

By email: timpsone@parliament.uk
On the web: edwardtimpsonmp.com
By phone: 01270 501 725
By post: 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE
In person: Click here to see surgery times

Sunday, 12 February 2012

Children In Danger

People in the Queens Park were horrified today as children played on the frozen lake. As you can see above they were walking right across the lake and one was a young child. The Police were called and they rushed to get them off the lake before they fell in. They than took their names and were going around to the parents to advise them of the dangers. This has been happening all week with people of all ages doing these stupid things like smashing the ice they are standing on with bricks bikes etc.

Parent warn your children of the dangers of open water not only of the park. If any had fell in they could be dead very quick if they slipped under the ice and low temperature could prove fatal. If anyone witness this stupid behaviour then call the Police before a child dies

LMR End of the Line

There is a sign up in Goddard St saying the LMR is to be knocked down. Its been closed as a club for a long time but now it seems its days are numbered. There is concern for 2 stones on the property that mark the original boundary for the LMR and have historical significance. Its sad to see the old club go as it was originally a temperance club I understand

Saturday, 11 February 2012

Police seek Corsa driver who failed to stop after collision

Crewe police are appealing for witnesses after a driver failed to stop when he collided with a motorcyclist.

At 12.20pm on Thursday 9 February 2012 a white Vauxhall Corsa was travelling along West Street in Crewe towards the A530 Middlewich Road when it collided with a motorcyclist riding a blue Honda at the junction with Minshull New Road.

The Corsa, which has a sunroof, mounted the pavement for some distance before rejoining West Street and failing to stop.

Left at the scene was the Corsa′s wheel trim, indicator light, a piece of black trim and driver side wing mirror.

The driver is described as a white male, approximately 20 years old with short brown spiky hair.

PC Richard Woodward said: "The driver of the Corsa left the motorcyclist lying in the carriageway with shoulder injuries which required hospital treatment.

"Thankfully this wasn′t a serious injury but it could have been much worse.

"I would appeal for anyone who saw the collision or recognises the car in the picture to contact us. I would also appeal in particular for the driver to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact PC Richard Woodward on 101 quoting incident number 339 of 9 February 2012.

Four sentenced to more than 22 years behind bars for conspiracy to burgle

Three men and a woman have been jailed today (Thursday, February 9) at Liverpool Crown Court for more than 22 years for a burglary conspiracy.
Shaun Kelly, aged 22, of no fixed abode, Phillip Manning, aged 24, of no fixed abode, John Philip King, aged 27, of Lord Nelson Street, Liverpool city centre, and Tania Southward, aged 20, of Langford Road, Northwich, had previously pleaded guilty to the conspiracy.
Kelly was jailed for eight years, King received seven years, Manning was handed six years and Southward was jailed for 17 months.
The four were arrested on October 4, 2011 following a joint operation with Merseyside Police and Cheshire Police.
The four were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary between July 2010 and January 2011 in Cheshire and south Liverpool and were subsequently charged with the offence.
DC Chris Bromilow, from Merseyside Police, said: "These four individuals were involved in a raft of burglaries across Cheshire and south Liverpool and we welcome today′s sentence which will see them taken off our streets for a considerable amount of time.
"We take burglaries extremely seriously and recognise the impact it has on victims. We will continue to work hard with our partners and neighbouring forces to ensure that those responsible for burglaries are caught and brought to justice."
DS Ian Alldred, from Cheshire Police, added: "Burglary is a despicable crime as it targets people in the one place they should feel safest-in their own home.
"We take any incidents of this nature extremely seriously and the sentences passed down today reflects that.
"Those who believe Cheshire is an easy target should be warned-we will not tolerate anyone who chooses to travel into the area to commit crime.
"We are committed to tackling the issue and will continue to work with our colleagues in neighbouring forces to ensure that those who break the law end up paying the price for their actions."

Witnesses sought following serious incident in Crewe

Police are appealing to the public for information following a serious incident in Crewe which left a 28 year old woman in a traumatised state.

Shortly before 8pm on Tuesday 7 February 2012 a woman was taken against her will from outside a property in Catherine Street in Crewe.

She was then subjected to serious sexual assaults.

Head of the Cheshire Constabulary′s rape unit, DI Debbie Dodd said: "There are a couple of witnesses who we are particularly appealing for as well as those who were in the Catherine Street area of Crewe that evening who may have seen an altercation between a man and a woman, or erratic driving.

"We are particularly keen to speak to a lorry driver who was waiting at a set of traffic lights on Nantwich Road at its junction with Mill Street. The driver, who was possibly in a red lorry, may have looked down from his cab while at the traffic lights and noticed a woman in distress.

"Another HGV driver was driving along Weston Road near to Crewe Hall, possibly in a white lorry. He beeped his horn at them as they were driving head on towards him. I would appeal to you to get in touch to help us with our investigation.

"I would also appeal for any one driving in the area that evening or the early hours of the following morning who witnessed erratic driving to contact me on 101 quoting incident number 229 of 10 February 2012. Information can also be given anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111."

A 30 year old man has been charged with numerous offences connected to this incident.

Pilot scheme helps to combat alcohol related crime in East Cheshire

Residents across East Cheshire involved in alcohol related crime have been
discovering the shocking effects their behaviour has on their community in
a pilot project to reduce offending.

Congleton Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Mark Gammage said: "We′ve had
some really good feedback from those who have attended the ARC course. They
liked that we didn′t lecture them or talk down to them, and that what we
were telling and showing them during the presentation gave them an insight
into the affect their behaviour had on others.

"In some cases they came away recognising that drink was a contributory
factor to their behaviour and they should drink less on their nights out to
avoid some of the shocking scenes and situations they could find themselves
in."

The ARC initiative brings together the police, North West Ambulance Service, Cheshire Fire and Rescue, probation service, Cheshire
East Council, the PCT, and alcohol support groups.

Anyone who comes to the attention of the police for alcohol related
anti-social behaviour is, if appropriate, given the opportunity to attend a
course presented by the agencies.

The course aims to educate them on the dangers of drink and the
consequences of their drink related anti-social behaviour.

There are three ways to be eligible for the presentation, either by being
given a Section 27 notice; have spent night in the cells for section 5
drunken disorderly or by being referred by Pubwatch groups within Crewe,
Nantwich and Congleton NPUs.

The pilot project was originally aimed at tackling the issue in Congleton
but has since spread across the eastern area.

Insp Gammage said: "We hope ARC will be another valuable tool which will
help us prevent behaviour which can have serious consequences on the health
and lives of the drinkers themselves and others.

"This project and initiatives such as the Arc Angel protected town show
that we have a zero tolerance approach to crime and anti-social behaviour
committed while under the influence of drink.

"By working with our partners we can reinforce the message that we are
committed to doing everything we can to stop a problem which affects so
many people. "

Community Grants

Cheshire East Council is pleased to announce that despite the challenging financial climate, community and voluntary organisations are set to benefit from more than £23,000 of grant funding.

The final round of Community Grants for 2011/2012 has seen 44 groups receive awards ranging from £75 to £3,000.

Grants are available to support community, environmental, sports, arts, heritage and play projects. Only one grant can be awarded to each organisation per financial year.

The Council recognises the valuable input that voluntary and community groups bring to local life.

Applications are judged on a number of criteria and they should be able to display that their project: enhances the quality of life for Cheshire East residents; increases involvement in the community; demonstrates the potential to be sustained in the future; and that it can attract more participants.

Some of the successful groups (amounts in brackets) are:

Crewe Alexandra Ladies – (£150)

The club wishes to hold community coaching sessions for girls and ladies to promote women’s football. They are applying for a grant for equipment, coaching and promotion;

The Saturday Club, Macclesfield – (£500)

This is a newly-formed group offering support and friendship to parents/carers of disabled children, who often suffer from isolation;

High Legh Community Association – (£3,000)

The village hall is currently operating at full capacity and having to refuse bookings. The group plan to redesign the facility to create four rooms which can be hired. The money is being used as part of a third party funding bid to Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN);

Shavington Youth Club – (£3,000)

The youth centre is used for a variety of activities. The group plans to upgrade their facilities to offer a wider programme; and

Chelford Parish Plan Team – (£3,000)

The parish plan project aims to deliver village sport and leisure facilities where none currently exist. The scheme involves a multi-use games area, improved grassed areas and a cycleway.

Councillor David Brown, Cabinet member with responsibility for performance and capacity, said: “These grants show how Cheshire East Council is working with other groups to improve community life.

“Over the last year a large number of organisations have received funding which has enabled a wealth of community activity to take place.

“Funding is in place for the next financial year and I would advise anyone interested to get in touch to find out more.”

For more information on Community Grants go to www.cheshireeast.gov.uk and look in the Community and Living section. The next deadline for applications is March 30.

This decision is subject to the standard call-in period.

Notes to Editors

For a full list of the Community Grants awarded please go to: http://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=437&MId=4413

Appeal to drivers to remain security conscious during the cold weather

Appeal to motorists not to leave their cars defrosting on the driveway − with the keys in the ignition.

An incident was reported to police on the 7th February. At 6.55am a grey Audi was stolen from the driveway of a house whilst defrosting.

As the bitterly cold weather is set to continue this week drivers are being warned to be on their guard against opportunist thieves. Opportunist thieves will see a cold spell of weather as a perfect opportunity to snatch a vehicle - especially if the driver has left the engine running and the car unattended. Drivers are being urged across cheshire to remain security conscious and to take steps to reduce the chances of being targeted by thieves."

Officers are also urging drivers to remain security conscious and not to leave valuable items - such as handbags, laptops and mobile phones - on show inside some of the vehicles.

Drivers are being encouraged to:

Ensure they stay with their vehicle at all times when defrosting it.
Do not be tempted to start defrosting the car and then pop back into the house or garage - it only takes a matter of minutes for someone to get into a car and drive off if the engine is running and there is no one else around.
Make sure they allow enough time every morning to fully defrost their vehicle before driving - scraping just a few inches of frost away right in front of your eyes is not adequate enough - it is illegal and dangerous.
Be more aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity immediately

It is not just the inconvenience and stress of losing your vehicle and any valuable items that are inside − it is also the fact that many drivers have their house keys and other important keys on the same fob as their car keys. So if they are stolen then you have the added expense of having to change the locks on your home.

Cyclists warned following spate of bike thefts

Cyclists in Crewe are being offered the chance of having their bicycle security marked for free to help deter bike thieves.

PCSO Nick Jackson said: "We have had a number of thefts of bicycles over the past month and are urging residents to be vigilant and security conscious.

"Its not only expensive bikes which are being targeted by thieves, cheap bikes which you might assume won′t be of interest to offenders are being stolen for their scrap value.

"As a prevention measure I am holding a bike marking event on Saturday so cyclists can have their bike permanently marked with a unique identification code for free. The details will then be registered on a national database − helping police to trace the owner if the bicycle ever gets stolen.

PCSO Jackson is hosting the bike marking event on Saturday 11 February at Sainsbury′s in Eddleston Road, Crewe.

The event will run on between 2pm and 4pm.

PCSO Jackson, of Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "We would encourage as many members of the local community as possible to come along on the day and have their bicycles security marked."

Police are encouraging anyone who owns a bike to remain security conscious to reduce their chances of being targeted by thieves.

Keep your bicycle locked away and out of sight when not in use - ideally in a shed or garage that is fitted with heavy duty locks.
If possible fit security lights around the shed area to act as a deterrent.
Invest in a good quality bike lock and use it to secure your bike not only when you′re out and about but also while it is in your shed.
Do not attach the bicycle to something which could easily be moved or cut and try to leave it in a well-lit area where there are a lot of people around.
Report any suspicious activity in your area to police immediately.

Anyone with information about bike theft or suspicious activity should contact police on 101. Alternatively information can be given anonymously on the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.

Friday, 10 February 2012

Man faces multiple charges in Crewe Magistrates tomorrow morning

A 30 year old man has been charged with actual bodily harm, Kidnap, four counts of rape and threats to kill. He will appear at Crewe Magistrates tomorrow morning (Friday 10 February 2012).
For your information so you can follow this through court, his name is Marcin Swedek (30) of no fixed abode.

Background details: At 7.57pm on Tuesday 7 February 2012 police were alerted to reports of a woman struggling with a man who was trying to get her into his car in Bedford Street in Crewe. Officers made an extensive search and at 3.32am a 30 year old man, known to the woman, was arrested.

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Official re-opening of Crewe Library

MP Edward Timpson was joined by a host of Cheshire East Councillors for the official re-opening of Crewe Library on Saturday, February 3.

The Crewe MP was welcomed by staff and members from the local authority, following a recent refurbishment programme.

The library was partially closed over the Christmas and New Year period, with improvements made to many aspects of the well-used facility.

Self-service terminals, a new cafe area and a bigger children’s library are just some of the improvements library-users can look forward to.

New shelving, carpets, ceiling panels and energy-efficient lights have also been installed.

Cheshire East Councillor David Brown, Cabinet member with performance and capacity said:

“Here at Cheshire East Council, we recognise the importance of our libraries; they are no longer simply a place to borrow books, they are a place to find information, use the internet and to meet people.

“I would like to thank Edward Timpson for his support and all the staff who have worked so hard to keep the library up and running through the refurbishment.

“I hope that the improvements are welcomed by the local community and it encourages more people to use this much-loved library.”

MP’s 110th news bulletin.

Edward Timpson MP

Monday 6, February 2012

Welcome ...

Welcome to this my 110th news bulletin.

I spent the 26th and 27th of January working in Leighton Hospital to experience the day-to-day work of employees at all levels. I will be back at the hospital for my final two days at the end of this week but you can read about my first two days below.

DAY ONE

“SIGN here”. Hospitals rightly take security extremely seriously and it’s no surprise that my first port of call was to the identity suite to sign in, have my photo taken and be issued with my badge.

A visit to the security control room revealed a Star Trek-like bank of screens showing footage from cameras covering every public area on the hospital estate.

Whether it’s your home or a hospital, the chores that are vital cogs in the wheel are pretty similar – namely cooking, cleaning, washing and ironing. The difference is the scale. As I stand folding blankets with some of the 51 laundry staff, I am struck by the size of the operation.

What started out in the seventies as a glorified laundromat is now an industrial production line that sees 135,000 items laundered every week, weighing in at 1,100 kg per hour. It is soon apparent that my folding rate won’t be sufficient to keep up with demand, so I am politely re-deployed to the catering department to help prepare lunch for patients.

Leighton is the exception to the usual hospital catering rule in that it produces all its food in -house, and wherever possible uses local produce to do so. The kitchen has to rustle up two hot meals a day for around 450 patients, together with enough grub to feed about 700 of the 3,500 staff on duty at any one time. That’s an awful lot of Cheshire potatoes!

I get to help out on ‘the belt’, literally a conveyor belt with plates moving along to which certain food items are added as individually requested by each patient.

I take over the serving of the sweetcorn and Brussels sprouts, as Vicky, one of the hardworking kitchen team, patiently reads out to me what to put on each plate. I have to concentrate hard to make sure bed six in ward seven doesn’t get the sprouts they never ordered! The whole operation has to be complete within the hour to ensure every patient has their lunch on time.

I then accompany the head of catering as we transport the meals to the wards. It’s fair to say that the patients I hand over their lunch to are both grateful and complimentary about the fayre on offer. Hospital food doesn’t have the greatest of reputations, but for just under £3 a day per patient, the consensus amongst those I spoke to was that it stood up pretty well.

After sampling some soup and salad (and a dollop of crumble with custard) in the restaurant, I go off to join the porters starting their afternoon shift. To understand what porters do, if you can think of anything that needs moving from one part of the hospital to another – notes, samples, equipment, beds, patients and so on – porters do it all.

I stand with them at the main reception waiting for a job to come in, and before I know it I’m off to collect a patient from ward four and take her in a wheelchair to have some tests done about 250 yards down the corridor. Back at the front desk another patient needs moving from A&E, some samples need delivering to a consultant and a constant movement of medical notes fills the gaps. One porter told me he often covered 17 miles in a day.

Last on my list of crucial hospital activities was a spot of cleaning. Keeping a hospital clean is a non-stop operation, and their efforts have been rewarded with no MRSA cases for nearly two years, as well a 25% reduction CDiff in 2011.

They all clearly took great pride in their work. I witnessed a disinfection of a ward side room by a member of the deep cleanse team that literally left not a single square inch of the space untouched. Its no wonder that they get through literally thousands of mop heads a week.

Day one was an education in the work of the unsung heroes of our NHS. Day 2 will have a more clinical focus.

DAY TWO

WHEN we think of hospitals we tend to think of Accident and Emergency. Resplendent in my standard issue blue tunic and badge, I head down to meet up with the A&E team who have gallantly allowed me to join them.

On the way a visitor wanting directions to X-ray stops me. It’s easy to forget I look to them like a fully fledged member of staff. Luckily I am saved by a passing porter whose encyclopaedic knowledge of the hospital is all too apparent as he directs the visitor to his destination.

It’s a busy morning in A&E. In fact this has been one of the busiest winters staff can remember. I soon learn to expect anything and everything to be thrown at you. A man with a nasty head wound has just been admitted that requires an urgent scan. He can’t remember how it happened.

I help trolley him down to the MRI scanning room, itself snowed under with a steady stream of patients. I then go and see a local farmer who has suffered a big break to his ankle and needs to be taken to the plaster room.

An elderly gentleman is then brought in by the North West Ambulance Service crew with a suspected heart attack. Again scans are required.

It is a sobering experience, tempered only by the dedication displayed by the staff in giving each patient the best possible diagnosis and treatment they can.

My time in A&E is paused for a trip to witness the bed planning meeting. With their unofficial motto being ‘right patient, right bed, right time’, the bed planners are responsible for ensuring that all the medical and surgical admissions and discharges maximise the bed occupancy in the hospital.

A whiteboard up in their planning room looks like a complicated mathematical equation, and so it turns out to be.

I go on a ward walk with a member of the team to find out from staff nurses which of the 150 beds for medicine and surgery admissions are likely to come free by the end of the day, and which patient will be filling them.

The daily prediction by staff of numbers in and numbers out is usually not far off, and today is a good day, freeing some much needed space for the weekend.

I know from my constituency casework that, although the majority of patients are satisfied by their experience at Leighton Hospital, that is not the case for everybody. That is why when I return in February I will be spending time with complaints and PALS (Patient Advisory Liaison Service) to understand better where people see room for improvement. But I left my first days at Leighton with two strong impressions.

The first was a great admiration for the staff I met across the length and breadth of the hospital trust, their determination to keep improving, and their love for what they do.

The second was an appreciation of the high levels of skill and professionalism contained on that one site and how in demand those skills are. It was both humbling and enlightening and I can’t wait to return.

Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions for me.

You can forward the bulletin on to your friends and family, who can sign up themselves by clicking here for my website.

Best wishes

Edward Timpson
Member of Parliament for Crewe & Nantwich

I have recently ...

Held an advice surgery at King's Grove School. Thank you to Head teacher Mr Langston and all his staff for making us so welcome - a resounding success.
Asked the Leader of the House of Commons for a debate on promoting local British produce, so that we can discuss how to stretch the consumer audience as far and as wide as possible. I raised the International Cheese Fair in Nantwich (the world’s largest cheese fair), which showcases outstanding local produce including the unbeatable Cheshire cheese, as an example. To read more click here or listen to my interview on BBC Radio Stoke here (at 1:49:15).
Visited Brierley St Primary School to talk to pupils about democracy, national government and the Houses of Parliament. Given tour of the school by Head teacher Mrs Booth and Deputy Head Mrs McIntosh. Thank you to members of the School Council for their wide ranging and searching questions!
Attended the Street Games reception in Parliament to hear more about their involvement in Cheshire East Street Sports and the Crewe YMCA.
Chaired the Parliamentary Group on Looked-After Children and Care Leavers.
Reopened Crewe Library following an extensive refurbishment
Asked the Prisons Minister, in light of the fact that more than half of male prisoners and almost three quarters of female prisoners have no qualifications at all, what efforts are being made, through the training of prison officers, to raise awareness of the importance and availability of prison education in our prisons? Read the Minister's answer here.
Visited the Shavington Village Festival Committee's publicity stall in Crewe market for their pantomime production of Red Riding Hood

Westminster Report

Read my most recent Westminster Report

Click here or on the image

Photos & Video ...

Edward Opening the new Orthopaedic Out-Patients and Fracture Clinic at Leighton Hospital

You can view all my photos and video at edwardtimpsonmp.com

Community News

Support the Looking After the Homeless Group

The LATH Group (Looking After The Homeless) aims to ease the plight of the homeless in the Crewe area, with the long term aim of eliminating it altogether. The organisation is in dire need of donations, to help ease the lives of those that are homeless & many of whom are sleeping rough in these cold winter months.
To make a donation please click here - Please forward this link to your friends, your families & your colleagues, add the link to your Facebook & Twitter pages to help our cause and spread the word.
Your money will be used to feed, create warmth, clothe, and help shelter those who need it this winter.
Do you have community news to share? Email me and it could be here too!