LUHFT introduces new Health and Safety volunteer role
Surgery to story time
To mark World Safety and Health at Work Day on 28 April, a new LUHFT volunteer staff role has been created to further enhance the safety and wellbeing of patients and staff, and to build on the Trust’s health and safety culture. The newly appointed Health, Safety and Fire Champions will act as advocates, promoting and increasing awareness about the importance of health, safety and fire with colleagues. They will also provide encouragement to support a positive culture locally and across the Trust. Health and Safety Manager, Steven Hall, said: “The Champions will act as our eyes and ears within their department and can communicate any concerns around safety and wellbeing directly to us. They can also inform us of good practice within their department which may be used in other areas to further enhance the safety and wellbeing of staff and patients. We are actively looking for more Champions across all sites and encourage staff who would like to become a Champion to volunteer.” Currently there are five Health, Safety and Fire Champions on the Aintree site with plans to recruit volunteers across the Broadgreen and Royal sites by August. Amieejean Hewitt, who volunteers as a Champion for Ward 10 (Gastroenterology) at Aintree, said: “I was originally approached by my Matron to become a Champion for our Ward. When the opportunity arose I jumped at it because I think everyone should be educated about the importance of health and safety in the workplace.” If you are interested in becoming a Health, Safety and Fire Champion, please contact the Health and Safety Team on HealthandSafety@ liverpoolft.nhs.uk.
After being inspired by her four children, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sharon Scott, decided to take on the challenge of writing a children’s book. “I have always been quite creative and decided to start working on a children’s book at the beginning of 2020. I was walking the dog with my husband - who is also an orthopaedic consultant at LUHFT - and I told him I wanted to write a book about a young girl who dreamt of a fairy world. I’m not sure he believed I’d do it as I have never written anything before!” said Sharon who specialises in trauma and is the Divisional Medical Director for surgery at Aintree. Sharon joined Aintree in 2010 and was integral to the development to the Trust becoming the major trauma centre for Cheshire and Merseyside. Talking about her book which is aimed at 9 to 11-year-olds (and all believers), Sharon said: “The Shadow of the Rowan Tree took around a year to write in between work and home life. I was inspired by my four children, with my imagination cultivated on long walks with my Doberman, Bruno. The story follows the adventures of Daisy and Margot, the tooth fairy she dreams about. “I decided to write under a pen name Florie Parker – Florie is my dad’s grandmother and Parker is my mum’s maiden name. I was absolutely delighted when the box arrived with the first hardback copies of my book - to have actually created something so special I am very proud.” The Shadow of the Rowan Tree can be purchased from Austin Macauley publishers.
14 | LUHFT Life
