Red letter day for hospitals

Jun 30 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

WIRRAL hospital trust – made up of Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge – has become a University teaching hospital on the same day it was announced it will also become a foundation trust.

In a “proud day” for health services in the borough, the trust was one of just three granted foundation status across the country, along with Wirral and Cheshire Partnership Trust.

Foundation status will give the hospital greater financial independence from the Government, and is intended to allow it more freedom to adjust services to meet local demand.

Wirral Hospital Trust will now be renamed Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to reflect its prestigious new position.

University teaching hospital status has been awarded to the Trust by the University of Liverpool, in recognition of the delivery of the curriculum to those studying to become doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

The accolade also recognises the innovative teaching methods used at the Trust and the contributions made by staff and patients in the education and training of future health professionals.

It will make it a more attractive place to work for the most talented medical professionals and could even lead to better chances of attracting funding for research.

The Trust also enjoys strong teaching links with the Universities of Chester, Salford and Liverpool John Moores.

Chief executive Len Richards said: “I am delighted with today’s announcement and feel this is a proud day for everyone associated with health services across Wirral.

“Recognition as a University teaching hospital further confirms what innovative and forward-thinking health professionals we have working across Wirral, and their commitment to ensuring the quality and standard of local health services continues to rise in the future.”

The Trust was told yesterday that its NHS Trust Foundation Status will take effect from tomorrow, July 1.

Mr Richards said: “This achievement signals the end of months of hard work by everyone at the Trust and certainly could not have been done without the commitment and support of all our staff.

“I believe they and our patients will quickly begin to experience the benefits and opportunities our new NHS Foundation Trust status will bring.”

So far, almost 6,000 local residents have joined the organisation as Public Members, alongside the vast majority of the workforce who opted to become Staff Members, with the aim of giving them greater involvement in how the organisation is run.

At the heart of this is the Assembly of Governors which is made up of Public and Staff Members who have been elected, as well as nominated representativesl.

The Assembly, which will hold regular public meetings, will provide a forum for governors to feedback the needs and views of the Trust’s public, patients, and staff.

THE Assembly of Governors will hold its first meeting in Bebington Civic Centre on Thursday, July 5, at 6pm

liammurphy