REACHING THE TOP OF THE WORLD Endoscopist climbs Mount Everest for charity Phil Walton, Endoscopist, has climbed Mount Everest, raising money for several charities including the Countess Charity’s Blue Skies Balcony Appeal. Phil took on the challenge as part of Tri-4-Life, which is a group of lifelong friends that regularly tackle extreme physical feats to raise money for charity. In the past they have cycled from one side of the United States to the other, swam the English Channel and they host an annual Across Mersey Swim inviting swimmers to join them in swimming from Liverpool to the Wirral. “Climbing Mount Everest is something I’ve been dreaming about for as long as I can remember,” he said. “I’ve been climbing mountains since I was a teenager and I always like to keep challenging myself in everything I do. As part of Tri4-Life we spent years working towards this.”
has extra significance after he spent three months being redeployed on the Countess’ Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the start of the pandemic. The Blue Skies Balcony Appeal is aiming to build a new outdoor balcony area adjacent to ICU, making it easier for the most poorly patients to get outside and feel the fresh air during their rehabilitation. Phil said: “Working in ICU during the first wave of COVID-19 was an extremely eye-opening and difficult experience.
Phil Walton at the top of Mount Everest The expedition was entirely selffunded with every penny raised going straight to three charitable organisations: Community Action Nepal, the Wirral University Teaching Hospital Charitable Fund and the Countess Charity’s Blue Skies Balcony Appeal.
the local Nepalese community, knowing how important Sherpas would be in helping them reach the world’s tallest peak. With strong NHS representation in the group, giving back to their two closest hospitals was also seen as a priority.
It was always important to the group to give something back to
For Phil, the Countess Charity’s Blue Skies Balcony Appeal
“It is what we train for and we knew what was required of us to treat patients, but it was also about just being there for them and their families at such a scary time. I think the Blue Skies Balcony Appeal is a really positive initiative that will make a huge difference to patients and I’m delighted we’re able to support it.”
Countess pilots new NHS learning disability training Countess staff have piloted a new learning disability training before it rolls out across the NHS.
Lauren Binks, Safeguarding Practitioner, said: “It’s extremely important for this training and helping patients with learning disabilities to be a top priority for all NHS organisations. I think hearing first-hand about these experiences is extremely powerful and the feedback that we’ve had is all positive.”
The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disability and Autism is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death shone a light on the need for health and social care staff to have better training. A key factor of the learning is reminding health workers to always view patients as individuals, listening to and respecting the views of all those they care for. Sophie Hunter, Equality and Diversity Manager, said: “The training has been very interesting and thought provoking, with some incredibly sad examples of things that have gone wrong in the past. I know colleagues across the NHS will get a lot from this.” The Trust’s Safeguarding and Complex Care team successfully applied to be part of the pilot and worked with provider Be Well Learning to deliver the course to 77 Countess colleagues. A number of NHS organisations took part
in the trial in Autumn 2021 to determine the best way of delivering this training before it is extended to all NHS staff. While some areas trialled online learning, the Countess tested a two-day face-to-face course, with various situations presented and discussed. This included including a session led by Sarah Morris who shared her own experience of accessing healthcare with a learning disability. Sarah explained how appointment letters are often difficult for her to follow and visiting hospital can be stressful.
Nikki Parry, Director of Be Well Learning, said: “As a training delivery partner for The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Trials, having autistic people and people with a learning disability co-produce and co-deliver the training has been crucial. Learning from the expertise and lived experience of the people who receive health care services must shape the training. This will ensure staff working in health and social care have a better understanding of people’s needs, resulting in better services and improved health and wellbeing outcomes.”
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