Wendy Alexander told the health secretary we know now that at the RAH

• One in Four beds are not far enough apart

• The cleaning budget per bed in real terms has been cut by £3855 over the last year

• Only one in five staff have had infection control training in the last year, despite the recent severe outbreak at the Vale of Leven

• Eighty eight cases of C-Diff were recorded at the hospital in six months from December 07 to May 08 this year

Wendy Alexander said:

‘It is about time the health Secretary committed to hospital-to-hospital reporting of infection rates. By  7 August the report on the outbreak at the Vale of Leven was received by Ministers. In September the Health Secretary promised, in response to a question from me in the Parliament chamber that she would look at the issue.  So why almost 3 months later are we still waiting for action on the vital matter of requiring hospitals to publicly report the number of CDiff cases?’

Ends

Notes for editors:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7719918.stm

Attached correspondence between Wendy Alexander & Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon September 08

Scottish Parliament Official Report 11th September 2008
10:14
Nicola Sturgeon: …  Hugh Henry made legitimate points on the nature of assessment and inspection in our hospitals, as did Wendy Alexander when she intervened on him. As I said in my opening remarks, the issue is under my active consideration.

WA MSP said:

”I am delighted to give my support to Show Racism the Red Card – I welcome the tough action by St Mirren management to condemn last weeks rogue elements and I commend  pupils at Arkleston for showing the way forward.  I hope other Renfrewshire Schools also compete and win next years “Red Card” awards.

Government statistics indicate that there are on average 14 recorded racist incidents a day. The Commission for Racial Equality estimates the true number to be five times this figure.  We must all work together to ensure that the mindless minority who engage in racist practices realize their behaviour is not acceptable in football or in wider society.”

Arkleston won a Show Racism the “Red Card” grant of up to £1,000. They organized an all school project under the title: Cultural Focus on China.  The aim of this work was to raise pupil and parent awareness of Chinese cultures and diversities.

Eleanor Bennet, Principal Teacher, Arkleston Primary Said:

“This has been a very successful block of work.  The children’s awareness of another culture has indeed been raised. Through also targeting the parents we have included them in realising the need for greater understanding in society.”

Wendy Alexander is urging pregnant women in Renfrewshire to protect themselves and their babies by breastfeeding within an hour of giving birth.

The Paisley North MSP’s appeal comes ahead of World Breastfeeding Week (1 – 7 August).

This year’s event aims to raise awareness of the health benefits to mother and baby from early breastfeeding.

Breastmilk gives newborns all the nutrients they need for the first 6 months of life and helps protect them from a range of health problems, including obesity, asthma and eczema.

It also reduces the risk of young mums contracting ovarian and breast cancers and suffering fractures in later life.
Ms Alexander said: “Breastfeeding has enormous health benefits for mother and baby.“Many new mums also feel it gives them an extra special bond with their baby.“For more information on breastfeeding and its benefits, please log on to www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk.”

The bravery of Private Samuel Evans, Sergeant James McKechnie, Private Hugh McIver, Captain Arthur Henderson and Sergeant John Hannah means Paisley has more Victoria Cross winners than any other town in the world

A rustic stone memorial has now been placed in Hawkhead Cemetery to commemorate the heroes from the Crimean, First and Second World Wars.

They were honoured following a short ceremony at Paisley Abbey to coincide with the 150^th anniversary of the first VC winners receiving their medals from Queen Victoria.

The memorial is a fitting tribute to the courage of men who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country

I’m sure many local people take the opportunity to pay their respects to these local heroes for years to come.

Re-energising Renfrew

I was delighted to be present at the signing of a new £550 million contract between Renfrew-based Doosan Babcock and British Energy.The deal will bring many high quality jobs to the town as the Porterfield Road plant will now supply the energy giant with engineering and mechanical support across the UK for years to come.

The agreement will also provide a more secure future for hundreds of Doosan Babcock employees on British Energy sites across Britain.

Local youngsters could also benefit as the new deal increases the potential for a joint apprenticeship and graduate training scheme between the companies.

From contracts to cookery - youngsters at Newmains Primary in Renfrew have scooped a top culinary award.I had the pleasure of presenting P7 pupils Stuart Macauley, Jack Allan, Jamie MacLeod and Rebecca Elliot with an Active Kids Get Cooking 2007 accolade from the British Nutrition Foundation.

I was very impressed by the creativity and imagination that had went into their mouth-watering recipes.

Well done to the winners for continuing their school’s excellent record in this competition.

Go Green to Crack Down on Animal Cruelty

Renfrewshire residents can help the fight against animal cruelty by going green.

The Scottish SPCA hopes local people will support them by recycling.

The charity gets vital cash from the recycling of mobile phones, PDAs and printer cartridges.

Recycling these items helps protect the environment as well as improving the lives of vulnerable animals.

Locals who are interested in supporting the campaign can do so by mailing their old mobiles and printer cartridges in special freepost envelopes.

These can be obtained by calling 08451 30 20 10 or by visiting www.recyclingappeal.com/sspca. ]]> http://www.wendyalexander.co.uk/2007/07/02/281/feed/ http://www.wendyalexander.co.uk/2007/06/15/wendy-goes-green-to-help-the-environment/ http://www.wendyalexander.co.uk/2007/06/15/wendy-goes-green-to-help-the-environment/#comments Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:30:19 +0000 admin http://wendy.intraspin.com/?p=258

Renfrewshire residents are being urged to go green in the fight against animal cruelty. Wendy Alexander MSP wants local people to support the Scottish SPCA by recycling.

The charity gets vital cash from the recycling of mobile phones, PDAs and printer cartridges. The money raised will help the Scottish SPCA to continue its campaign against animal cruelty while protecting the environment. In 2006, Scottish SPCA animal welfare centres offered refuge, cared for and found new homes for more than 12,000 injured, abused, neglected and orphaned pets, farm animals and wildlife. Public and business donations are necessary for the charity’s survival as it is not government funded. Locals who are interested in supporting the campaign can do so by mailing their old mobiles and printer cartridges in special freepost envelopes. These can be obtained by calling 08451 30 20 10 or by visiting www.recyclingappeal.com/sspca. Speaking about the recycling appeal, Ms Alexander said: “The Scottish SPCA does a fantastic job of campaigning against animal cruelty.

“I’m calling on people in Renfrewshire to support the charity by recycling their old mobile phones, printer cartridges and pdas. This will help the Scottish SPCA to continue its good work while benefiting the environment.”

Kirklandeuk Primary hit the jackpot after being awarded a Big Lottery Funds Awards for All grant.

The cash bonanza will be used to buy new equipment, including a printer, digital cameras and arts and craft materials. The school was one of several local organisations to successfully apply for lottery funding. Whitehaugh Tenant’s and Residents’ Association received almost £9000 to be spent on painting and decorating, replacement windows and tables and chairs.
The Turkish and Ethnic Minority Centre banked £8500 to help cover a range of costs, including training and office equipment.

Hillview Nursery Parents Management Committee scooped £8000 to put towards painting material, labour costs and replacement astro turf. The Renfrew Amateur Radio Society is also in line for new equipment after receiving £3000. Ms Alexander said: “I’m delighted so many groups across Renfrewshire have benefited from lottery money. This funding will make a real difference to educational, cultural and heritage groups in the area. I urge all local organisations to investigate their eligibility for lottery funding by visiting www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland.”

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson has visited Paisley to see how the town centre’s streets are being made safer.

She met with local police, councillors and MSPs and learned how £1.28 million is going to be spent in the next 12 months to cut crime in Paisley, Johnstone Renfrew and Linwood.

The cash bonanza will reduce crime by funding:

• Increasing the number of police patrols in Paisley and surrounding towns and villages
• Town centre wardens in Paisley, Johnstone, Renfrew and Linwood
• A noise investigator and equipment to work with the ASIST team
• The development of ASB problem and action groups
• More mobile CCTV equipment to be used in ASB hotspots
• More youth activities in ASB problem
• A speed watch scheme to tavkle dangerous drivers

Wendy Alexander said: “The festive pilot scheme in Paisley town centre demonstrated the difference more bobbies on the beat can make by boosting detection rates for vandalism, drug crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The new funding package means more police in our town centres, more wardens for Paisley, Johnstone, Renfrew and Linwood, additional CCTV and more youth activities to reduce anti-social behaviour.”

The Paisley North MSP was responding to the publication of Alex Salmond’s plans for his first 100 days of government.

She said the document detailed clearly that the SNP would prioritise breaking up Britain over improving education – and at a cost of at least £5000 more for every family in Scotland each year. Ms Alexander said:“The SNP have made it clear that they believe breaking up Britain is more important than making Scotland’s education system the best in the world.

“The costs of their plans for the first 100 days of government runs into billions and will mean every local family having to cough up at least £5000 more every year. Their first 100 days will mean nothing but tax and turmoil for hard-working families.

“Local communities deserve a government that will look after their interests and focus on building up Scotland, not breaking up Britain. I urge Renfrewshire residents to reject the SNP’s plans on 3^rd May.”

The Paisley North MSP was responding to the publication of Alex Salmond’s plans for his first 100 days of government.

She said the document detailed clearly that the SNP would prioritise breaking up Britain over improving education – and at a cost of at least £5000 more for every family in Scotland each year.

Ms Alexander said:“The SNP have made it clear that they believe breaking up Britain is more important than making Scotland’s education system the best in the world.

“The costs of their plans for the first 100 days of government runs into billions and will mean every local family having to cough up at least £5000 more every year. Their first 100 days will mean nothing but tax and turmoil for hard-working families.

“Local communities deserve a government that will look after their interests and focus on building up Scotland, not breaking up Britain. I urge Renfrewshire residents to reject the SNP’s plans on 3rd May.”

The figures show that the Scottish employment rate is at a new historic high of 76.2% and remains above the UK and almost all countries within the EU. Ms Alexander said: “Across the area, unemployment has fallen by 9% in the last year and the number of people employed across Scotland is at a record high. The high levels of employment across Scotland are a direct result of the economic success and stability Labour has delivered since being in government.