Hospital spending £230,000 on MRSA deep cleaning

AN extra £230,000 is being spent by Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, to carry out a deep clean of all its clinical areas in the next few months.
Sixteen specially-recruited and trained cleaning staff will be involved in the deep cleaning programme.
The hit team will clean patient and public areas, store rooms, kitchens, sluices, corridors, and stairwells.
They will also de-clutter wards, remove old equipment, and clean storage areas on wards.
Head of facilities Simon Rigby said: “This additional investment has been provided by NHS South West as part of a national scheme announced by Gordon Brown recently.
“Our performance on healthcare associated infections at Musgrove Park is already very good, with rates of MRSA and CDiff more than halving in the last 12 months, but this extra money will allow us to do even more.
“There will inevitably be some disruption, but we are doing all we can to minimise any inconvenience to patients by carrying out the deep clean bay by bay, and doing a lot of the work in the evenings.”

• Our photograph shows some members of the deep cleaning team (left to right) team leader Debbie Whiting, with Karl Hernan, Simon Blewett, Jamie Shirley, and Mark Farrow. Members of the team not available for the photocall were Alex Brown, Lou Walker, team leader Kevin Elliot, Anibal Da Silva, and Chris Farrand. Photo submitted.

Festive market brings Christmas trading boost to Dunster

TRADERS in Dunster are set to receive a seasonal boost when a festive farmers’ market is held in the beautiful surrounds of Dunster Castle on December 1 from 11 am to 3 pm.
More than 25 local producers taking part in the market will be offering everything from meat and fish to Indian cuisine and chocolates.
Visitors will be able to buy their Christmas puddings and cakes and stock up on warming cider brandy and exquisite local preserves.
There will be a chance to sample hot cider punch and homemade pastries and pies.
Afterwards, visitors can take a look around the grounds of Dunster Castle, visit the special National Trust Christmas Shop in the castle dining room, or wander into Dunster village to continue their Christmas shopping.
The market is being organised by the National Trust with support from Somerset Food Links.
It is the fourth year the popular festive market has been held.
Parking is available at the castle for £2, or a short walk away in the village.
There will also be an opportunity to book a guided tour of the castle halls for the annual ‘Deck the Halls’ event with demonstrations of garland and wreath making.
Advance booking is advisable on 01643 821314. Prices are £3 for adults and £1.50 for children.

• Our photograph shows Mignon and Andrew Johnson, who will be attending the festive farmers’ market with their range of Indian foods. Photo submitted.

Plans are submitted for £6.5m Museum of Somerset

AMBITIOUS plans to deliver a new £6.5 million Museum of Somerset have been submitted for planning permission.
The plans set out in detail how the vision for a restored Taunton Castle and 21st century museum will be realised.
The aim is to create an exciting new visitor attraction which tells the story of Somerset from prehistoric times right up to the present day.
Gallery spaces will be fitted out using the latest exhibition design techniques to display the museum’s internationally important collections, setting a new standard in the South West.
People will be able to access and learn about these in a variety of ways, such as through interactive displays.
The new museum will offer much-improved services for visitors, including a cafe, extended opening times, and a large temporary gallery capable of staging national touring exhibitions.
It is hoped that visitor numbers will double to more than 60,000 annually.
Plans also allow for much more of the castle itself to be opened to the public, parts of which date back to the 12th century.
There will be a new welcome centre in the castle courtyard and a north entrance leading to Goodland Gardens.
There will also be vastly-improved access for people with disabilities.
Somerset County Council is now working on submitting detailed information to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) about what the Museum of Somerset will deliver.
Earlier this year, the HLF announced £4.8 million had been set aside from its budget for the project, which will cost £6.5 million overall.
A public fund-raising campaign was launched recently to raise £250,000 of the remaining £1.7 million.
Grants and contributions from the project’s stakeholders, including Somerset County Council, have also been secured towards the total.
Assuming the planning application and proposals to the HLF are successful, building works are programmed to start in September of next year with an expected opening in the summer of 2010.
This would require the closure of the County Museum by March 31 to carry out the huge task of carefully dismantling, packing, and storing every single object.
An open day is being held at the County Museum on Sunday, November 18 to give visitors a last chance to see behind the scenes of Taunton Castle before the development works start.
Project leader Tom Mayberry said: “We are pleased to have reached this important milestone in our efforts to create the Museum of Somerset
“We have conducted a lot of work with the public to find out what they want from their museum and are confident these plans will deliver their aspirations.”
County council community services portfolio holder, Councillor Justin Robinson, said: “The council is committed to looking after Somerset’s cultural heritage and the new facility will provide a fitting home for the history of this county, which is sure to be enjoyed and appreciated for many generations to come.”

• Our images show how the Museum of Somerset might look inside: Top - ‘Youth Gallery’ gives a glimpse of how the county of Somerset developed from the 8th to 17th centuries. Middle – ‘Mezzanine’ shows how the Great Hall may look. Bottom -the ‘Bloody Assizes’ image shows how this gruesome chapter in Taunton Castle’s history might be brought to life. Images submitted.