"Record-keeping in need of improvement" at Broomfield Hospital

Broomfield Hospital has been warned about their record keeping.

After recent spending cuts to the NHS, the Care Quality Commission, CQC, issued a formal warning to the Mid Essex Hospitals Trust about the keeping of patient records, especially at the Chelmsford hospital.

As part of a routine check by the CQC on April 13^th, inspectors found that in nine of the patient records which were looked at, there were numerous gaps in food and fluid charts.

Some food charts had been discontinued with staff unsure why, posing a risk of a lack of information when making decisions over patient hydration and nutrition.

Patient discharge checklists also had issues of clarity whereby it was difficult to establish what plans had been made in supporting people after being discharged into the community.

Andrea Gordon, CQC’s Deputy Director of Operations in the region, said: “We will be returning to the trust to follow up on progress and, when we do, we will expect the trust to be able to demonstrate it has made improvements.”

“CQC has a range of legal powers it can use if it is found the required progress has not been made. Where necessary we will use these powers to protect the people who use this service.”

In response to the report, Chief Medical Officer at Broomfield Hospital, Dr Ronan Fenton, said: “The patients whose records were inspected by the Care Quality Commission did receive good quality care, but it was the record-keeping aspect that was in need of improvement."

With ‘extremely hard-working and dedicated staff’, Dr Fenton continued to say: “We are confident that we can demonstrate to the CQC that we are strong on these assurance disciplines as well as the many standards of care quality that have been commended by the CQC.”

Broomfield Hospital: the Chelmsford hospital has recently had a major renovation

UNISON has branded the warning from the CQC as ‘inevitable’ and a wake-up call about the impact of spending cuts. As the largest union in the CQC, they work to represent the staff at every level.

Eastern Region Regional Manner at UNISON, Margaret Lynch, said: “Government spending cuts are beginning to bite”.

“UNISON has drawn attention to the Government of the crippling impact of spending cuts – and this CQC warning should be a reminder to all politicians in charge of this government of the dangers of making cuts in hospitals.”

Fundraising triumph for the Amy Winehouse Foundation

A fundraising event at Stock Brook Manor helped to raise over £20,000 for the Amy Winehouse Foundation, with help from Grants SEAT.

Foundation logo

Organised by Amy’s father Mitch, the Golf Day on May 24^th was the first event to be organised by the foundation since Amy’s death at the age of 27 last July.

Mitch and daughter Amy Winehouse before her tragic death in 2011

The car dealership in Braintree sponsored a series of prizes for the golfers, including a SEAT Leon worth £15,000 as a prize for a hole-in-one.

Managing director Darren Williams and his wife Katie, communications manager, were invited to the following gala dinner and charity auction. The star-studded event included guests Ray Winstone, Katie Price and new charity patron, Barbara Windsor.

Speaking after the event, Katie Williams said: “It was an enormous privilege to play a part in helping to make the Amy Winehouse Foundation’s first fundraising event a huge success.”

“It was clear from the numbers of people who attended and the generosity they showed on the night that Amy’s legacy lives on.” 

Darren & Katie Williams from Grants SEAT dealership

Radio DJ's Buntathon Success

Listeners of a BBC Essex show have displayed huge generosity in creating over a mile of bunting flags.

Host Dave Monk was initially inspired to put together 100m of bunting for a special Olympic torch event in a borough of South Essex.

The ‘Bunathon’ campaign soon accelerated and just 3 days after asking listeners for help, Dave already had his 100m, so decided to stretch it to a mile.

The radio presenter has been overwhelmed and said: “It had brought out the best in people. There is a strong spirit of togetherness.”

With help from groups, individuals and even some residential homes, the collective effort has now producer over 3000 flags. The actual length is still to be measured.

On 25^th May, a group of listeners joined Dave and his radio team to sew the flags together, including Mary from Burnham, a former professional machinist who has produced hundreds of flags. Another lady wished to dedicate her contribution to her late mother who taught her to sew.

Dave said “It was so nice. It sums up the feeling behind it all.”

The future of the bunting is still a little hazy, but will spend its time travelling around the county for charity events. Dave said: “The Scouts are interested. I’d like it to raise as much as possible for charities.”

Dave Monk's radio show can be heard on BBC Essex, weekdays between 9am and 12pm.

Dave Monk

Farm-promoter Jack's award winning business

After spending many years working on his father's farm in Willingale, Essex, Jack Bosworth has spent the past few months developing a business of his own, leading him to win the 'Innovation Award' at this week's British Pig & Poultry Fair in Warwickshire.

Jack Bosworth: Award-winning business at the age of 17

Jack, 17, developed the idea of promoting the pig industry after it had proved to be very successful for his father. Spains Hall Farm, just outside of Ongar, is home to thousands of pigs under the watchful eye of Stuart Bosworth, Farmer's Weekly Pig Farmer of the Year 2011.

Following on from Stuart's success, Jack created a Facebook and Twitter page for the farm in order to raise awareness. After just a week, national suppliers did not hesitate to get in touch to find out more about Spains Hall. In order for information to spread even further, Jack went on to create a website where all those interested could be forwarded to.

After realising the full potential of the social networking world, Jack began his 'Hog in the Limelight' business, offering the production of farming promotion videos for supermarket and trader pitches, website management and the overall support and promotion of farms up and down the country.

At the British Pig and Poultry Fair where Jack was one of three nominees in his category, it was his business pitch that secured his award and a £1000 prize. Presenter of the award, Nigel Lee, was exciting to see the enthusiasm of such a young individual.

“The judges liked that not only were the videos aiming to counter negative publicity but also promoted farmers generally in terms of quality and the Red Tractor standard."

"We hope he will succeed."

Jack Bosworth (right): collecting his award

Jack has a lot of confidence in the business and trusts the years of experience he has developed from working on his father's farm.

"As a farmer's son, I know farming. I am confident my business will help to get the farming industry the good publicity it deserves as well as trying to create more demand for assured produce, which could then save many of the farmers that would have been going out of business otherwise."

Jack is a keen supporter of the British Red Tractor, which seeks to 'maintain, develop and promote standards throughout the whole food industry'. Their logo is commonly found on many supermarket products which seek for the same goal.

Jack is passionate about the industry that he has grown up into and it stands solid that he will continue to develop the family business and even further into the modern world of technology.

As he begins a Business Management degree at the Harper Adams University College in September, Jack shall continue to run Hog in the Limelight, hoping to establish even more experience to improve the business in the coming years.

Jessie J jumps into the record books

One of Essex's finest stars has this week become a historic figure of British music.

Following the release of her album 'Who You Are' last February, Jessie J has been topping the charts with singles from the album. Jessie's second single, Price Tag, as well as one of her most recent singles from the album, Domino, both reached the #1 position. Her latest single, 'Laserlight' featuring French DJ David Guetta, released from the Platinum Edition of the album, is now Jessie's 6th single to secure a top ten position.

The position of having 6 top ten singles from one album in the UK chart is one that has only been held by the elite: Take That, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Michael Jackson. As the first UK female to achieve such a feat, Jessie J is moving one step closer to becoming one of the UK's greatest musical success stories.

Jessica Cornish, as she may be known, has progressed a long way from her Essex childhood. Having held the #1 spot in 19 countries world-wide, totalling a staggering 11 million single sales, it is certain that the UK public aren't the only ones going crazy for this songstress. Her album has also sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide, with over 1 million in the UK.

Jessie J

Jessie's success stretches much further than many would expect. Having starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West-End production of Whistle Down The Wind as a child, before graduating from the BRITs school in the same class as Adele and Leona Lewis, Jessie has always been surrounded by success, which she has been to keen to share with others. Having written songs for US stars Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus, including Miley's hit single 'Party in the USA', it is clear that she has been keen to pass on her talent and success.

Her desire to continue finding new talent has become more public in recent weeks after beginning her coaching role on BBC's new talent show The Voice. The format, which has been very successful across the world, has now reached the UK and has been proving popular in the weekly ratings. Sitting alongside Will.I.Am, Tom Jones and Irish rock-band The Script's Danny O'Donoghue, Jessie J holds her own as the only female judge. This Saturday will be the first of the live shows, as Jessie J continues to mentor and coach a group of artists she selected in the blind auditions. Having whittled her acts down to five in this weekend's battle rounds, Jessie is left with a range of talent, style and ages with her performers Becky, Cassius, Ruth, Toni and Vince.

Having begun work on a second album, I cannot imagine that the typical myth of a 'difficult second album' will be a term placed against Jessie J's name. Making Essex proud, we can expect and hope that Jessie's success can only continue to grow and strive.

Essex superstar spinning on The Voice

Brand new hit BBC One show, The Voice, whereby the four coaches sit with their back facing the performers, is proving to be a huge success.

After much popularity in the US, the UK version with coaches Will.I.Am, Tom Jones, The Script's Danny O'Donoghue and Essex's very own Jessie J, has been topping viewer ratings for the past three Saturday nights.

The Voice judges: Jessie J, Danny O'Donoghue, Will.I.Am and Tom Jones

If one of the four coaches wish to mentor the artist that they are listening to, they must hit the button in front of them to spin their chair around. If more than one coach turns around, they must fight it out with one another to make themselves seem more desirable and appealing to the performer, who will then select the coach they wish to work with. With just 10 places in their category, the coaches must be certain when listening to the artists that they wish to turn around and potentially work with them.

With just three weeks in to the brand new BBC show, Jessie has filled up 8 of her 10 available coaching places. With 18 number one singles across the world, two million album sales and a staggering 16 million single sales, Romford's Jessica Cornish definitely knows a thing or two about the music industry.

Although some might believe she is quite a newcomer to the music scene, Jessie has been writing her own music for many years, as well as writing chart-topping songs for the likes of Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys. When it comes to fighting for the acts that she wishes to work with, Jessie certainly throws all of this success and experience into her case to prove to the artists that she can help them to be just as successful.

One of the acts that was unfortunately passed by in the audition process was Essex's Shansel Huseyin. All four judges teased at the prospect of pushing their button for the 16-year-old operatic singer, who, unbeknown to the judges, had discovered her singing talent whilst imitating a Katherine Jenkins performance! Shansel, who reached the Grand Finals of Essex's Got Talent, has had no vocal training, yet managed to spark the attention of the four The Voice coaches.

Essex's Got Talent: Shansel Huseyin

It has been rumoured, since Shansel's audition was shown two weeks ago, that Will.I.Am has offered her a record label. Whilst nothing has been confirmed, it is certain that Essex holds a bundle of talent and shows like The Voice and The X Factor are a prime example of how people of all ages from the county are achieving such massive success.

TOWIE stars are ready, set and go for the London Marathon!

The annual London Marathon is fast approaching and three of the county's reality TV stars will be taking part to raise as much money as they can for their chosen charities.

On the 22nd of April, 'The Only Way is Essex' favourite James Argent, or Arg as he is better known, will be running the 26.2 mile course to raise money for Cancer Research UK. James will be joined by Billi Mucklow and Cara Kilbey, who will be running the marathon for Samaritans.

Cara and Billi training for the 26.2 mile run

Arg, who has famously battled with his weight on the hit ITV2 reality show, has promised his followers on Twitter that he has been cutting down on the junk food and focusing more on his training for the marathon. It has become a regular occurrence that James has tweeted about his latest run or bootcamp session.

On the other hand, his TOWIE competitiors Billi and Cara appear to have an alternative motive. In an interview with the Daily Star, Kilbey said that their training entails a run to the coffee shop, followed by a run to Billi's sunbed salon. Cara continued to say 'then [we] go back and treat ourselves with a nice wine'. Arg even tweeted just last week to say "@BilliMucklow @carakilbey have pulled out of a run 4 sunbathing! Shock!".

Let's hope that the girls will get some thoroughly-needed training in before next Sunday, when they will join Arg, hopefully crossing the finish line at the Mall. Good luck!