Yesterday I visited The Royal Bolton Hospital on World Stroke Day. I was invited down by JIGSAW the stroke support group in Bolton and The Stroke association who asked me to go along and help them raise awareness of Strokes. This I did with pleasure as I’m sure all my readers know my Dad is severely disabled through a stroke.

There are so many things to campaign on for Stroke sufferers I don’t know where to start. Improved recognition of Stroke diagnosis would be a good place followed by more access to physio and speech therapy. I think we have seen huge leaps forward in Bolton but it’s all about how it feels for you, and from my visit to JIGSAW recently and talking to those who have suffered a stroke, we still have a long way to go.

Whilst I was at the Hospital Matron Suzanne Lomax took me around The Stroke Unit. I must say that Suzanne was a pleasure to meet, she is so utterly committed to her cause. This is a lady who has devoted her entire nursing career to stroke patients. Suzanne’s view is that nursing is all about patients and being there for them – what a breath of fresh air!

Pictured from left to right myself, Staff  Nurse Wendy Worsley, Health Care Assistant Cristine Gildea and Matron Suzanne Lomax.

On The Stroke Unit

At Bolton Market

Last week (sorry for the late posting but I’ve had a few days in the Lake District with my Mark and the girls over half term) Tobias Ellwood MP The Shadow Minister for Tourism came to visit for the day. Tobias was speaking at my Business Club on Thursday evening and spent the day visiting other businesses in Bolton.

We started the visit at Bolton’s Market (pictured) which earlier this year won the Greater Manchester Tourism Award of the Year. We should be very proud of our market, it has a long history and sells some wonderful produce. I must also thank Unsworth’s Deli for some amazing turkey sandwiches.

Whilst there Tobias did an interview for The Bolton News and Bolton FM. Next we headed off for Smithills Hall, it’s funny that you don’t always appreciate things on your own doorstep, and I think Smithills Hall is one of those. I’d forgotten just how wonderful this historic Hall is, I would recommend anyone to go and visit, and to go with one of the tour guides. We had Derek Eccles who made our journey around the Hall a  pleasure.