Man injured as A39 crash causes traffic delays

A MAN was taken to hospital this evening after being trapped in a three-vehicle crash on the A39 at Cannington.
He was cut free from the wreckage of his vehicle by fire and rescue crews who removed the roof of the vehicle using road rescue equipment.
The collision happened in Main Road, near the Tincknell Mitsubishi dealership and Bridgwater Mowers, and the casualty’s car ended up in a roadside hedge.
Paramedics then used a spinal board to out the injured man in an ambulance and take him to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.
One lane of the road was blocked and queues of traffic travelling toward Bridgwater built up during more than two hours while the rescue was carried out and the highway cleared after the accident, which happened shortly before 5 pm.
A fire appliance from Bridgwater and a rescue tender from Taunton attended the incident.

Hospital teddy bear fund-raising supports moon bears charity

STAFF in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, have helped to raise almost £500 to save moon bears from a life of caged torment on bear farms in Asia.
The money has gone to the charity Moon Bear Rescue, which works to rescue farmed bears in China and give them a better quality of life.
The hospital’s speech and language therapy team in partnership with Moon Bear Rescue Somerset organised a teddy bear picnic and auction in December.
Staff and friends gave teddy bears and made cakes to be auctioned to raise money for the Asiatic moon bears.
Esther Corrick, deputy head of Musgrove’s speech and language therapy team, said: “We were all thrilled at the outcome of the auction and cake sale as we raised £473.
“This money will go to Moon Bear Rescue to help them in their campaign against bear farming in China and Vietnam.
“Thank you to everybody who was so generous with their time, enthusiasm, and support.”
Anybody who would like to become involved in the Somerset support group should call Lee Gibbons on 01278 741648.
More information about Animal Asia Foundation, which the group supports, is available on website http://www.animalsasia.org/.

• Our photograph shows (left to right) back row - Karen Dockings, Anne Baker, Lee Gibbins, and Rick Tillet; and, front - Laura Codrington, Helen Bernades, and Esther Corrick. Photo submitted.

'Poo in the post' test is beating bowel cancer

A BOWEL cancer screening programme operating in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, has shown after just six months that it can save lives.
The two-year rolling programme automatically invites everybody aged between 60 and 69 years to send in a tiny stool sample to be tested.
The take up rate in Somerset so far has been between 60 per cent and 70 per cent, one of the highest figures of any programme nationally.
As a result of the test kit, more than 200 people have been called in for further discussion and a colonoscopy procedure.
Colonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the large bowel which can diagnose bowel cancer at an early stage before symptoms arise.
Pre-cancerous polyps can be removed during the procedure without need for surgery.
In the six months the programme has been running, 21 patients have been referred on to the surgical team at Musgrove for treatment and 90 patients have had polyps removed.
Taunton Deane Councillor Tony McMahon, aged 62, of Milverton, was among those who received a testing pack and as a result of the sample he was called in for a colonoscopy where a polyp was found and removed.
Councillor McMahon said: “I am extremely lucky. The doctor told me that if untreated, this polyp would have become cancerous in five years time, and I may never have seen any symptoms.
“I was given a mild anaesthetic before the test, and then watched the whole thing on a television screen.
“Now, I only have to go back every 12 months for a check up.
“I was talking to a friend recently who said that he was not going to send in the test - but if a simple ‘poo in the post’ test can save your life, then why delay?”
Musgrove bowel cancer screening programme co-ordinator Julia Heneker said: “Tony’s story is a great example of how the screening programme works.
“The earlier we find a problem, the better the chance of treating it successfully.
“Sometimes, people are a bit embarrassed to talk about faeces and any problems they might have - but this is simple, private, and can save your life.”

• Our photograph shows Councillor Tony McMahon (left) with Julia Heneker and consultant gastro enterologist Dr Stirling Pugh. Photo submitted.

Family 'wait and see' after car shop man is seriously injured

AN elderly man who was seriously injured yesterday when he was hit by a car in Williton has been named as John Slade (pictured), the proprietor of car spares and accessories shop Motorline.
Mr Slade, aged 63, who lives with his wife Sandra in Watchet, appears to have been run over by a woman customer’s car outside his Robert Street shop.
He suffered ‘significant head injuries’and leg injuries and was flown by air ambulance to the intensive care unit of Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.
Today, his condition was said to be “comfortable” and he was now being cared for on a general ward of the hospital.
Son-in-law Darren Elliot said Mr Slade’s condition had stablilised but he was still extremely poorly.
Mr Elliot said: “We just have to wait and see.”
Police have appealed for any witnesses to the incident to come forward to help their inquiries.
They believe Mr Slade was standing behind the customer’s car when it suddenly reversed into him and dragged him some distance along the road.
Mr Slade is the main sponsor of Watchet Cricket Club and also runs Great Western Cars, a luxury chauffeur service with a 1930s-style Asquith limousine.
Anybody with any information about the accident should call the police on 0845 4567000.

Car repair man critically injured as second vehicle hits him

A WILLITON man was airlifted to hospital this afternoon after suffering serious head injuries when he was hit by a car.
The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (pictured) was called when the accident happened in Robert Street, Williton, shortly before 12.45 pm.
The man, who lives locally and is aged his 60s, was working on a parked car when he was struck by a second car.
The air ambulance took him to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where his condition was said to be ‘critical’.
Police closed Robert Street for several hours while an investigation to establish the cause of the collision was started.
They appealed for any witnesses to come forward to help the inquiry.
Anybody with information about the incident should contact Avon and Somerset Constabulary by calling 0845 456 7000.

Crash closes A358 as two are cut free from wreckage

THE A358 between Williton and Taunton was closed for a number of hours last night after two vehicles were in collision near Bicknoller.
Two men - one in each vehicle – were trapped in the wreckage and had to be cut free by fire and rescue crews using hydraulic cutting equipment.
They were handed over to waiting ambulance crews who took them to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.
Both men’s injuries were said not to be life threatening.
Fire and rescue crews attended the scene from Williton and Nether Stowey, together with a rescue tender from Taunton, and a command support unit from Wiveliscombe.
The accident happened between Newton Lane and Slough Lane just before 9 pm and blocked the A358 in both directions, causing long traffic queues as police redirected vehicles along country lanes.

A&E sister is hospital's first 2009 'employee of month'

ACCIDENT and emergency department Sister Jan Giles has won the January ‘Employee of the Month’ award at Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton.
Jan was nominated by her colleagues in the department, who described her as an extremely capable and competent sister.
Musgrove consultant Gillian Bryce said: “Jan constantly steps in to cover colleagues’ shifts at short notice, at times she almost lives in the department.
“She is always a pleasure to work with and she can be relied on to give an extremely high standard of care and efficiency at all times.
“She never shows stress and keeps others calm even when the department is at its busiest.”
Jan, who has worked at Musgrove for 34 years, was presented with her award at a special ceremony in December.
Representatives from local businesses which sponsor the hospital’s employee of the month scheme were invited to attend and were thanked by hospital trust chairman Ros Wyke.
Mrs Wyke said: “The scheme was launched in 2005 to celebrate and reward individual staff who make a special contribution to the work of the hospital.
“It has been really successful, with many staff nominated each month by their colleagues, and the winners enjoying the prizes generously donated by the local business community.
“We are continually grateful for the generosity of those companies whose sponsorship make this initiative possible and I would like to extend my thanks to them all.”
The prizes are given monthly by Spirit Health Club, at the Holiday Inn, Taunton, the O'Bridge restaurant, Esporta, Musgrove Flowers, Haircare at Musgrove, and Q-Park.
From this month, winners will also receive a free CD of their choice given by new sponsor NHS Discounts.

• Our photograph shows Jan Giles, receiving her award from Ros Wyke watched by (left to right) Q-Park manager Dave Simms, Mark Harrison, of Spirit Health Club, and Emma Bacon and Angela Austin, both from the O’Bridge restaurant. Photo submitted.

Free expert advice for trust members on keeping eyes healthy

A FREE meeting to look at how people can have healthy eyes is being organised for Musgrove Park Hospital Foundation Trust members.
It is part of the hospital’s Medicine for Members series and is for staff and public members of the foundation trust.
The session offers an opportunity to hear an expert from the trust give advice and information on the latest research and evidence on a key issue of health interest.
Consultant ophthalmologist Roger Gray will present on the subject ‘How to have Healthy Eyes’ on Tuesday, January 27, at 7 pm.
Many causes of sight loss are preventable if caught early.
The event will look at the effects of age-related disease and illness on eyesight, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, and show people what to look out for and what can be done.
There will be an opportunity for questions and the meeting will end at 8 pm with a free wine and nibbles buffet.
Places can be booked by emailing jo.wakefield@tst.nhs.uk or calling 01823 342460 and leaving a message.
Joining the foundation trust is free and gives people an opportunity to have a say in the future of the hospital.
Members receive regular newsletters from the hospital, invitations to exclusive meetings, and can take part in elections for a members’ council.
The members’ council has a majority of publicly-elected members and makes key decisions about the future of Musgrove Park.
Anybody who would like to join should call the membership office on 01823 342460 or join online by going to http://www.tsft.nhs.uk/.

Biomedical scientist Katie juggles work and university studies to gain degree

A BIOMEDICAL Scientist at Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton, has been awarded a first class honours degree by the Open University.
Katie Redgate studied for the degree in environmental studies while working full-time in Musgrove’s pathology department.
She also continued as a union representative for the trade union Unite and as health and safety representative for the department.
Katie said: “It was hard work, but I was determined to do it.
“It was really interesting and very varied, and proved that if you are committed you can achieve your goals.”
Somerset Pathology Services general manager Steve Yates said: “Katie has done fantastically well and we are all very pleased for her.
“The biomedical scientists and their colleagues in pathology are the backroom team in the hospital.
“They analyse blood and other samples to help monitor treatment and confirm diagnoses.
“Not many people know what they do, but they are absolutely essential to the day to day work of the hospital.”

• Our photograph shows Katie Redgate at work in the pathology laboratory of Musgrove Park Hospital. Photo submitted.

Four stars out of five for hospital food outlets

CATERING outlets in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, have been awarded four stars by environmental health inspectors.
Musgrove achieved an ‘excellent’ mark for its food handling and management, and a ‘good’ mark for the condition of the premises.
Overall, the four star award meant the inspectors considered the level of hygiene practice to be ‘very good’.
The borough council team of inspectors looked in particular at three areas involved with the hospital's catering services:

• Food handling practice
  
• Condition of the premises
  
• Management systems

Musgrove catering manager Phil Shelley said: “This is excellent news.
“Our staff have worked incredibly hard to improve standards in everything we do.
“The four star award is a great Christmas present for us and an incentive to get that fifth star next year.
“We will now be working hard with the council and the estates team here at Musgrove to do all we can to further improve the facilities we have.”

• Our photograph shows Musgrove catering staff (left to right) Marion Collins, Jon Smith, Rose Cooke, Sandra Hall, Daniel Shelley, Jenny Grant, and Colin Frost. Photo submitted.

Estate agents turn Father Christmas for hospital children's unit

STAFF from the Minehead and Watchet branches of estate agent Wilkie, May and Tuckwood have delivered piles of goodies to the children’s unit of Musgrove Park Hospital, just in time for Christmas.
Watchet branch manager Steven Loveday decided to do something to show support for the hospital after his baby daughter Molly spent four days in the children’s unit during the summer.
Mr Loveday said: “The care Molly received was fantastic and I just wanted to do something to say thank you for that.
“I talked to my colleagues and we decided to appeal to our local community for toys and games that we could take along to the unit at Christmas time.
“Both I and Kevin James, who manages the Minehead branch, have been really pleased with the reaction we have had from our local clientele, who donated lots of traditional wooden toys and games as well as the more modern choices of DVDs and Playstation games.
“We would like to thank them all for their support at this busy time of year for everybody.”
Musgrove hospital play specialist Jane Horn said: “Steven and Kevin arrived absolutely laden with toys which made a lovely surprise for the children.
“We are always really grateful to receive good quality toys and games as it is essential to have a good selection of items to help make our young patients feel relaxed when they are in unfamiliar hospital surroundings.
“We know that having access to toys and games that occupy children really helps with the healing process.
“Wilkie, May and Tuckwood have worked really hard to provide new toys and we are delighted that they made the time and effort to do this.”

• Our photograph shows (left to right) Steven Loveday, Jane Horn, and Kevin James with some of the toys given to Musgrove children’s unit. Photo submitted.

Fresh virus outbreak shuts more hospital wards

FURTHER restrictions have been introduced to manage an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis - Norovirus – in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.
Four wards have now been closed to new admissions in an effort to combat the spread of the highly unpleasant infection.
The four are Coleridge, Eliot, Fielding, and Gould wards.
Last month, a similar Norovirus outbreak forced the closure of three wards, Eliot and Fielding, in the Duchess Building, and Ward Five in the old part of the hospital.
Norovirus exists in the community and although not usually serious, it is extremely infectious.
It is estimated that between 600,000 and one million people in the UK are affected each year.
Nursing homes, hospitals, and schools are particularly vulnerable to the virus, which can be spread by contact with an infected person or contaminated surfaces or objects.
Musgrove has detailed and well-established procedures to manage such outbreaks to minimise the risk of cross-infection.
Musgrove spokesman Mark Wall said: “Management of the outbreak is led by a specialist infection control team and other senior staff with ongoing review of the situation.
“To help reduce the risk of further Norovirus being brought into the hospital, visitors are asked not to visit if they have had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting or have been in contact with anybody who has in the past 48 hours.
“All visitors are asked to ensure that their hands are thoroughly cleaned before leaving a ward.
“If they are visiting a ward which has an outbreak of Norovirus, they should please not visit any other wards.
“If they are in any doubt about whether to visit or not, they should talk to the ward sister.”
Musgrove medical director Dr Cecil Blumgart said “We know visitors can make a real difference to patients, who look forward to seeing them.
“Unfortunately, we also know that without meaning to, visitors can bring bugs into the hospital which can cause harm to patients and once here are very difficult to control.
“There is also a small chance that visitors to affected wards may contract the virus and take it home.
“We are introducing these new measures to take a firmer grip on the Norovirus that we currently have in the hospital.
“People should not visit unless they really need to and if they do, must comply with these restrictions.”
Musgrove has more than 700 beds on 30 wards plus 15 operating theatres, and a fully-equipped diagnostic imaging department, and employs more than 4,000 staff.

Matron Suzanne meets Queen at Buckingham Palace reception

A MATRON from Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, has been to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen after courageously overcoming serious injuries suffered in a road accident.
Suzanne Pilkington (pictured), matron of the Children’s Unit, was one of only six guests from the Westcountry to attend the Buckingham Palace reception for healthcare professionals.
Suzanne, who lives near Taunton, was nominated by Musgrove foundation trust chairman Ros Wyke.
About 200 guests attended the reception and Suzanne spent two hours at the palace meeting members of the Royal Family, including the Queen, the Duke of Kent, and Princess Alexandra.
Suzanne said afterwards: “It was a wonderful evening.
“We were treated to Champagne and hors d’oeuvres and were able to wander around the State Rooms where there were items on display from the Royal Collection that related to healthcare through the centuries.
“It was fascinating and I felt so proud to be there representing Musgrove.
“I wore my matron’s uniform with pride and just felt so honoured.”
Mrs Wyke said: “We were so delighted that Suzanne was selected for this special reception.
“We nominated her because of the way she courageously overcame her injuries following a serious road accident when she was cycling to work.
“She sustained major injuries, including a broken pelvis and head injuries.
“Suzanne was a much admired matron before the accident, but the way in which she has bravely undergone her rehabilitation and returned to work has been an inspiration for the whole workforce.
“I am so thrilled that she has been recognised in this way.”

New chaplain takes over the reins at hospital

A NEW lead chaplain for Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton, has been inducted at a service held in the hospital’s chapel.
He is the Rev Jeff Gosden, who was previously a chaplain at Northampton General Hospital, and Stoke Mandeville, in Aylesbury.
The induction service was led by the Rev Jez Brown, the senior regional minister for the South West Baptist Association, and attended by Taunton Christians Together chairman Adrian Prior-Sankey, Free Churches Secretary for Health Care Chaplaincy the Rev Debbie Hodge, Musgrove consultant Dr Paul Kist, and Andy Burges, who is associate general manager for the clinical support division, and other members of the hospital team.
Mr Gosden said: “I am looking forward to working with the very committed and enthusiastic team here at Musgrove.
“We have over 40 volunteers and our work extends into the community hospitals across the county.
“I have a hard act to follow but I hope to support the continued development of the excellent chaplaincy service that Musgrove is known for.”
Mr Burgess said: “The chaplaincy service at Musgrove Park is extremely important in helping to ensure that we care for the whole person, not just an illness.
“Our team of chaplains, paid and volunteers, do a fantastic job in providing spiritual care and support to staff, patients, relatives, and visitors.
“Jeff is very experienced and knowledgeable and will help us develop the service even further.”
Musgrove patients, staff, and visitors can contact the chaplaincy team at any time by visiting the chapel on the first floor of the Duchess Building, or by calling 01823 342515.

• The Musgrove Park Christmas Carol Service takes place at 3 pm on Sunday, December 14, in the physiotherapy gym on the ground floor of the Queens Building.
  
• Our photograph shows Mr Gosden in front of the tapestry of the tree of life which hangs in the chapel at Musgrove Park. Photo submitted.

Hospital foundation trust marks its first anniversary

MORE than 150 people attended the first annual meeting of Musgrove Park Hospital’s NHS foundation trust, in Taunton.
They heard reports from chairman Ros Wyke and chief executive Jo Cubbon and saw the first ever showing of the foundation trust DVD.
There were also presentations on the new surgical centre planned for Musgrove and the cancer treatment Beacon Centre, which will open next May.
Mrs Wyke said: “Members are very important to us at Musgrove, they make a real difference and it was good to be able to meet so many at the annual meeting.
“It was particularly useful to hear people’s views about the hospital - what we are getting right and what we need to work on.
“These views, and the involvement of our members, will help us move from being a good hospital, to becoming a great hospital.”
One foundation member, Glyn Meredith, said: “The meeting was very good and extremely interesting.
“The enthusiasm of the staff was clear for all to see, both in the presentations and in those running stalls.
“It gave me great confidence in the future of the hospital and I would certainly go to other events being organised.”
Joining the foundation trust is free and does not commit members to anything.
They receive information from the hospital, are invited to special members-only evenings, and have an opportunity to vote in elections for the members’ council.
The council is made up of 27 governors, of whom 20 are elected, and plays a key role in influencing the future direction of the hospital and deciding who sits on the board of directors.
Anybody who would like to join the foundation trust can call the membership office on 01823 342460 or they can join online at http://www.tsft.nhs.uk/GetInvolved/MembersandGovernors/MembershipForm/tabid/1233/Default.aspx. The telephone number can also be used by anybody who would like a speaker from the hospital to attend their community or local meeting.

• Our photograph shows foundation trust member Glyn Meredith with one of the younger members, Charlotte Trower, and her 10-month-old daughter Sofia Nichols, who attended the annual meeting. Photo submitted.

National award for hospital A&E television documentary

A FLY on the wall documentary about the accident and emergency department of Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton, has won a national award for filmmaker Andrew Brown.
The judges for the prestigious Medical Journalism Awards said the programme, Emergency Medics, was ‘well filmed and utterly gripping. The programme flowed beautifully with the cameras leaving and returning to the action at just the right moments’.
Andrew spent three months in the department, filming the real-life action of a modern NHS accident and emergency department.
He said: “It is great for the series to win this important award, it is a real testament to the staff and patients who agreed to take part in the series.”
The award was for the second series of Emergency Medics - the third series is currently being broadcast on ITV1 Mondays at 10.40 pm.
The first two series have been seen by more than 500,000 people and are currently being repeated on the Discovery Channel.
Emma George, series producer, said: “These programmes show what A&E is really like - both sadder and happier than the television dramas.
“All life is here and the programmes show the nature of the people and amazing range of conditions treated in an A&E Department.”
Emergency medicine consultant at Musgrove, Dr Paul Baines, said: “This is an excellent department and the staff do an astonishing job every single day.
“Andrew works very professionally and after a while staff almost forget he is here.
“Most patients are happy to be filmed and very happy with the results.
“I hope that these films help the public understand what a modern A&E service is like.”
The accident and emergency department at Musgrove sees about 1,000 patients a week.

Minehead Hospital admissions suspended after virus outbreak among patients

ADMISSIONS to Minehead Hospital (pictured) have been stopped after an outbreak among patients of the extremely unpleasant gastric illness Norovirus.
The hospital announced today that no patients would be admitted to its inpatient ward until the virus had been eradicated.
Norovirus was discovered in the 22-bed hospital yesterday after five patients fell ill with symptoms of the common, but infectious viral gastroenteritis.
Hospital Matron Sue Meade said the suspension of inpatient admissions was a precautionary measure carried out to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to other patients or staff.
She said additional cleaning was being carried out on the ward, and the affected patients would not be discharged until at least 48 hours after their symptoms had stopped.
Mrs Meade said visitors could help prevent the spread of infection by following these simple infection control measures:

• All visitors should wash their hands before going onto ward or patient areas and remember to use the alcohol gel hand rub available throughout the hospital
• Anybody who has had gastric illness themselves within the last 48 hours should not visit
• Visiting to the ward should be limited to two people at a time
• Young children should not be taken onto the ward
• People visiting patients on the affected ward should not then visit a patient in another part of the hospital

The hospital’s outpatient clinics, x ray, physiotherapy department and its minor injury unit were operating as normal and were unaffected by the infection control measures.
Norovirus exists in the community and although not usually serious, it is extremely infectious.
Nursing homes, hospitals, and schools are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks.
The virus can be spread by contact with an infected person or surfaces or objects contaminated with it.
Thoroughly washing hands is an essential means of reducing the spread of the virus.

• Three wards of Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton, were closed to new admissions yesterday because of a similar outbreak of norovirus.

Virus closes three wards to admissions at Musgrove Park

AN outbreak of Norovirus has forced Musgrove Park Hospital (pictured), in Taunton, to stop admitting new patients on three of its wards.
The restrictions were put in place to manage the outbreak of viral gastroenteritis on Eliot and Fielding wards, in the Duchess Building, and Ward Five in the old part of the hospital.
Hospital spokesman Mark Wall said: “Musgrove Park has detailed and well-established procedures to manage outbreaks such as these to minimise the risk of cross infection.
“Management of the outbreak is led by our specialist infection control team and other senior staff with ongoing review of the situation.”
Musgrove has more than 700 beds on 30 wards plus 15 operating theatres, and a fully-equipped diagnostic imaging department, and employs more than 4,000 staff.
To help reduce the risk of further infection being taken into the hospital, visitors were being asked not to visit if, in the previous 48 hours, they had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting or had been in contact with anybody who had.
Visitors were also being asked to ensure their hands were thoroughly cleaned before leaving a ward.
Mr Wall said: “If you are in any doubt about whether to visit or not, please talk to the ward sister.
“If you are visiting a ward which has an outbreak of Norovirus, please do not visit any other wards.”
Norovirus exists in the community and although not usually serious, it is highly infectious.
It is estimated that between 600,000 and one million people in the UK are affected each year.
Nursing homes, hospitals, and schools are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks.
The virus can be spread by contact with an infected person or surfaces or objects contaminated with it.
Mr Wall said information about Musgrove’s Norovirus outbreak would be updated daily on the hospital trust website at http://www.tsft.nhs.uk/.

Long-serving hospital volunteers are celebrated

NINETEEN long-serving volunteers in Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, have been honoured in a special awards ceremony.
More than 400 people volunteer their time on a regular basis at Musgrove Park, and 186 of them have awards for five years’ service, and 86 have 10-year awards.
Volunteer co-ordinator Jeni Clark said: “Our volunteers do a simply fantastic job.
“They help in wards, in clinics, on reception, with clerical work, in the chapel ,and with Apple AM.
“They complement the staff and help provide a high-quality service to the patients who need us.”
Hugh Gloyn, who worked as a salesman in the retail business for 40 years, now volunteers at Musgrove, greeting and guiding visitors in the Old Building once a week.
He received a five-year award and said: “Although it is ‘only’ helping on reception, you meet all sorts of people in all sorts of situations.
“Hospitals are happy places and sad places and I try to make sure that everybody is greeted with a smile.”
When the Beacon cancer care centre opens at Musgrove in May of next year, there will be additional opportunities for people to volunteer at Musgrove.
Anybody who is interested should contact Jeni Clark by calling 01823 343447 or emailing jeni.clark@tst.nhs.uk.

• Our photograph shows (left to right) back row - Ruth Cottenham, Hugh Gloyn, Michael Beacham, Sheila Ruff, Gwenan Jones, and Selina Selwood. Front - Wendy Hewson, Pat Slade, Avril Phillips, and Anna Grace (receiving the award on behalf of her husband Jim). Photo submitted.

Foundation trust members to hear hospital's first-year report

THE first annual members’ meeting of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust will be held later this month.
The meeting, on Thursday, November 20, is open to all members of the foundation trust, and will take place at Somerset County Cricket Ground, in Taunton.
As well as receiving reports from the chairman and chief executive, members will hear of plans for future developments and see the premiere of a new DVD about the trust, which runs Musgrove Park Hospital.
The meeting starts at 12 noon and will finish by 2.30 pm. Lunch will be provided and all members who attend will be entered into a draw to win tickets to one of Somerset’s 20:20 cricket matches next summer.
Trust chairman Ros Wyke said: “Members are really important to us at Musgrove Park.
“They play an important role in telling us what we are getting right and where we need to improve.
“They also elect governors, who have a number of significant powers to decide on the future direction of the trust.
“This meeting is a chance for us to report on the last year and our plans for the future, but also a great opportunity to hear from members on their priorities.”
Places at the meeting are free, but must be booked by noon on Monday, November 10, by calling 01823 342460 or emailing jo.wakefield@tst.nhs.uk.
Anybody who is not a foundation trust member can join online at www.tsft.nhs.uk or by calling 01823 342460.