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11 March 2020
Vol 27 l Issue 11
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Urgent Treatment Centre praised by health watchdog
‘ALDER HEY BOSSES PUT MY SON AT RISK’
Mum of chronically sick youngster praises ‘fantastic’ medical staff but accuses management of being misleading about post-op care THE mother of a West Lancs youngster with a chronic medical condition has accused management at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital of putting his safety at risk and her own health in jeopardy by being misleading about the level of post-operative care they were able to provide. Ten-year-old Leon Salamanca Walsh from Ormskirk has twice undergone life-saving surgery at the world-famous hospital in the last three months. And grateful mum, Toni-Marie, praised the “fantastic” doctors and nurses for their efforts. However, she claimed that management at the hospital had misled the West Lancs Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) about the post-op care they were able to provide, leaving her to cope “by herself day and night” for two months. In response, the hospital said that it could not comment on individual cases but is working with the family to address her concerns. Leon, a pupil at Kingsbury Special Primary School in Skelmersdale, has chromic aerophagia, a condition of excessive air swallowing, which goes to the stomach. The condition has already led to him having a large bowel removed and having to use a stoma bag, similar to a colostomy bag.
Report by Kenny Parker He was admitted to hospital on December 16 of last year as a result of an intussusception - a complication with his stoma bag and small intestine - and was given only a 50-50 chance of survival. Thankfully he came through the operation successfully but the nightmare wasn’t over for the family as Leon required another critical operation following which he suffered a brain haemorrhage and stopped breathing. Medics again saved his life and put him into an induced coma. The youngster was eventually well enough to be discharged on February 13. But his mum says the “horrendous and emotionally draining” experience was made worse because she had to act as a nurse day and night to manage Leon’s aerophagia, causing her own physical and mental health to deteriorate. At home, Leon has 24/7 support of trained staff provided by the West Lancs CCG who offered to supply the same during his stay in hospital. However, Toni Marie says management at Alder Hey declined this claiming they could provide the
Leon with mum Toni, dad Pablo and older brother Andres.
necessary care. But she says that wasn’t the case and none of the nurses or care assistants knew how to care for someone with chronic aerophagia leaving her to cope. “We were both vulnerable and this was neglect of Leon. We were told time and time again by nurses that they didn’t know Leon’s condition and if I left him alone with them they couldn’t keep him safe. And yet the
management were saying that the girls had the necessary competencies. “I couldn’t believe this because Alder Hey is a great place - the doctors and nurses who saved his life were fantastic.” Toni-Marie says she has made an official complaint to Alder Hey’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service and is still waiting for a response. Continued inside
Hundreds take part in park runs Community Arts group nominated for National Diversity Awards SKELMERSDALE-based Divine Days Community Arts CIC, which was set up to make the arts accessible to all, has been nominated for the Community Organisation (Disability) award at the ITV National Diversity Awards! At the awards Britain’s most inspirational people come together to honour, “the rich tapestry of our nation,” recognising individuals and groups from grass roots communities who have contributed to creating a more diverse and inclusive society. The awards will be held on September 25 at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. Judges will award merits based upon each nominee’s work and also the quantity and ‘quality’ of votes each receives - those voting have a chance to explain their reason for dong so. Voting is open to the pubic until Monday, May 18. To vote for Divine Days visit www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/nominate and search for Divine Days. Divine Days provides internships for young adults aged 17 upwards, with additional need and day services for all ages, from babies to the elderly. The group also runs a range of classes from ballet to street and contemporary dance and organises community concerts. Classes are also held in Up Holland and Burscough. Funded by West Lancs Clinical Commissioning Group, Well Skelmersdale and the National Lottery, its services are available to people from across the North West. Following the nomination, Katie Whitehead, founder and managing director from Divine Days Community Arts, said: “What an absolutely amazing time for Divine Days Community Art - we have been recognised for our work in the community, but need your help. “We are thrilled to have been nominated for ITV News National Diversity Award 2020. Please vote for Divine Days Community Arts CIC and help us to celebrate and showcase the work we do in our community.”
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