On Winchester Now this week:
- A charity has made an urgent appeal for 12 volunteer puppy trainers in Winchester to help train hearing dogs – which will make a transformative positive impact to the lives of people with hearing loss. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People says it needs help to meet the growing demand for dogs as deafness rates continue to rise. Mary Blaxland finds out more for Winchester Radio.
- News-in-Brief:
- As recent figures show that more than 800 people in the south are waiting for an organ donation, a special plea has been made for more people to come forward and sign up to confirm their decision to donate on the NHS Organ Donation Register.
- The Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester is celebrating the official opening of its brand-new Orthopaedic Centre. The purpose-built unit will improve access to elective surgery for thousands of patients across the county, helping reduce waiting times, and will deliver orthopaedic operations such as hip and knee replacements.
- Local people are being urged to give their views, as a new five-year strategy is drawn up for our local hospital. Patients, staff and residents are being asked to help shape Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s future plan. You can have your say by completing an online questionnaire.
- GP surgeries across Hampshire are extending the availability of online consultations. From Wednesday 1st October, residents will be able to access these from 8am to 6.30pm. NHS Hampshire says that extending online consultation hours will allow GP practices to prioritise patients needing urgent care.
- More than half a million pounds is being spent on travel initiatives across the Winchester district. The funding is being provided through the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy – which is raised primarily from housing developers.
- It is Alzheimer’s Month, and we recently met up with actress Susan Hampshire who was officially opening the DemFest event in Romsey. Susan is very passionate about good dementia support, and for 12 years she cared for her late husband, Eddie, who had dementia. She kindly shares her personal experience with us of caring for her husband through his illness. And we share some helpful resources to help those affected by dementia.
- Shout-outs:
- To the over 100 new nurses and nursing associates who have received their training badges, having completed their courses at the University of Winchester. The class of 2025 were honoured at a special ceremony at the University’s West Downs campus.
- To all the care-providers receiving recognition at the recent ‘Hampshire Care Awards’ organised annually by the ‘Hampshire Care Association’. Winners and finalists included a number of individuals and organisations from Winchester, including Bluebird Care, and people from charities Brendoncare, and St. John’s Winchester.
- To Western (CofE) Primary School celebrating 50 years on its current Fulflood site in the city. Special commemorative exhibitions and tours have been held, with many past pupils and staff attending the celebrations.
- To everyone who ran, marshalled, or volunteered to help with last weekend’s Winchester Half Marathon. Over 900 people took part in the various races on the day, with many of the competitors running to raise funds for local charities close to their heart.
- To all those with a head for heights who took on a fundraising abseil down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower to raise funds for charity Open Sight Hampshire, which supports people across the county who are living with visual impairments or at risk of sight loss. Well over £10,000 has been raised so far.
- Our hospice here in the city has been supporting patients and their families for 4 years now. The annual Purple Night Walk took place to raise vital funds for the charity, and Winchester Radio’s Mary Blaxland was there to hear how much of an impact the care of Winchester Hospice has made to people and their families.
