West Wirral Area Forum – 29th June 2011 – Part 15 – Older Peoples Parliament, Southern Cross

They had approached the hospital and asked them to allow visitors at meal times rather than visiting times. They had also done work on dementia and a pilot project regarding helping older people on wards who had dementia. Age UK Wirral had given them 3 years of Comic Relief funding to work with GP to … Continue reading “West Wirral Area Forum – 29th June 2011 – Part 15 – Older Peoples Parliament, Southern Cross”

They had approached the hospital and asked them to allow visitors at meal times rather than visiting times. They had also done work on dementia and a pilot project regarding helping older people on wards who had dementia. Age UK Wirral had given them 3 years of Comic Relief funding to work with GP to help them identify long term carers.

For those who had been diagnosed with a condition for the rest of their life, it was easier to help if carers were identified. This could also inform social workers to work with carers. Helping practices to identify carers as they might not be at the same practice as the patient they’re caring for.

At the Floral Pavillion there had been a two day event with 1,500 people on the wellbeing of Wirral with stalls and workshops. There was also a meeting coming up on crime that Merseytravel was sponsoring.

It was also hard to get feet looked after, the service was fine but was hard to get, other people had problems with mouth and tooth care especially in residential homes. If dentures were lost it could be weeks before they were replaced which was awful for dignity.

A member of the public asked about Southern Cross and whether they were remaining open. Kevin Adderley said they were not aware of any closing. Cllr Ellis said that was good news. Cllr Watt said they had had a weekly briefing, the Director of Adult Social Services had said his department was committed to looking after the people affected and there was no chance they would be left out in the cold.

West Wirral Area Forum – 29th June 2011 – Part 14 – Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Older Peoples Parliament

Myles Platt also said they had started a scheme at Wallasey Fire Station. In open spaces it was down to the public to advise them of accumulated rubbish in areas such as Bidston Hill, Caldy and Heswall. Accidental dwelling fires were down on this side of the Wirral which he attributed to the partnership. They had a target of 22,500 Home Fire Safety Checks for this year which they were on target to achieve. They were going to vulnerable people, doing a risk assessment and if they saw any health related issues were referring these on. They did this using special teams and fitted free smoke detectors.

A member of the public said he had had a fire in his home for an unusual reason. A concave mirror had been placed near a window, sunlight had concentrated on one point and burnt a hole in nylon curtains. When they returned they smelt smoke so he warned people to be careful of putting mirrors near windows. Myles said it was great advice, but a smoke detector also detects the invisible products of combustion. Not only did they prevent damage to property but also damage to people.

Sandra Wall of the Older People’s Parliament said they had 1,200 members. It was free to join for the older half of the population. Some had suggested they don’t have a lower limit of fifty. They had been working with the hospital with regular meetings and lobbied the hospital and Merseytravel for a better bus shelter at Arrowe Park hospital. It was not good that people had to wait in freezing conditions. There was also work on nutrition and they had asked the hospital to let family members help at meal times.