I Owe My Life to Alder Hey

By NICK COLIGAN Political Reporter

EVERY young patient prays their visit to Alder Hey will be a short one. But some face treatment lasting weeks or even months.

For June Lornie, her arrival at the children’s hospital as a baby turned into a 13year stay.

From the age of 11 months to 14 years, she left Alder Hey for only a handful of days. Almost all of that time was spent strapped to a metal frame, unable to sit up or walk around.

Despite such a traumatic start, June, now a 66-year-old mother- ofthree, says she owes her life to Alder Hey.

Today she throws her support behind the ECHO’s campaign to keep the hospital in Liverpool amid doubts over its pounds 300m rebuilding plan.

June, of Wallasey, was transferred to Alder Hey as an 11-month- old baby from a hospital in Bootle after contracting TB.

She said: "I was extremely ill – it ate away at the third vertebra of my spine.

I was put on a frame and laid on my back. When my mother first saw me, she ran out of the room"My parents must have gone through hell." Because she moved into Alder Hey at such a young age, June soon knew nothing different. The hospital was her home.

She said: "The odd times I came home for a couple of days, I wanted to go back to Alder Hey because I missed my friends, even though I couldn’t see their faces, just the ceiling.

"The doctors and nurses were like fathers and mothers to me.

I remember a lot of things going on. The Christmases were just something else – the nurses enjoyed them as much as the children.

"I joined the Girl Guides and we watched films. I did not have much schooling, but I used to like drawing."

After years of treatment, doctors made a breakthrough when June had a piece of bone grafted into her spine.

She said: "The specialist advised my parents to let me have the operation because my spine was collapsing.

"I had the operation and it was a success. Twelve months later, I was discharged.

"I had to wear a plaster cast for 10 months. I looked like an Egyptian mummy. When they took it off and I started walking, I can remember all the nurses crying."

June became a successful clothes designer and eventually opened her own gallery, the Liverpool Academy of Art in Seel Street.

She said: "I have always had big houses since and I cannot bear being in small places. I think it is because of being in hospital.

"I do not really speak about it much because I do not want people to feel sorry for me.

"It would be terrible if Alder Hey left this city. I am sorry it has to be knocked down at all, but everything has to be brought up to date.

"I would like to go back for a final time before it is pulled down.

"If it was not for Alder Hey, I could not have done what I have. I am married with three fabulous sons and I have my own gallery.

"I owe my life to Alder Hey

Should we keep hospital in our city FOR

IF Alder Hey is allowed to build on Springfield Park, Liverpool will have a children’s hospital unsurpassed by any other in the UK.

Architects will work alongside medical staff t o design a hospital which is easy to navigate and patient-friendly.

A health park will be created, giving patients somewhere for relaxation, sport and walking. It would also be open to the wider community.

Currently Alder Hey costs pounds 28m a year to maintain and its old Nightingale wards are too small but there is no room to expand on the current site

AGAINST

THERE is significant local opposition to Alder Hey’s plan to rebuild on Springfield Park.

Almost 4,000 people have already signed a petition against the redevelopment of the green space.

Campaigners fear up t o 600 trees will be felled if the new hospital is built, but Alder Hey says only half this number will be affected.

Residents also describe Springfield Park as a "green lung" protecting them from the pollution at the Rocket motorway junction.

They have accused the hospital of using emotional blackmail to pressurise the council into backing its plan by threatening to move to Widnes

Barbara Fairclough, Halewood: I do feel it should stay where it is. I lived near Springfield Park up until 2 0 years ago and it wasn’t fully used then so I doubt if it’s used any more now. I do hope the ECHO wins this and we keep Alder Hey in Liverpool. Mr McKeogh, Old Swan: We live on East Prescot Road opposite the park. We’ve had no letters or been asked to sign any petitions with regards to the plans. Margaret Cassidy, Walton: I want to register my support for Alder Hey to stay where it is. I’m also a member of the Patient and Public Forum, a government organisation and they also support this site as a group

Maureen Lally, Litherland: I believe Alder Hey should be kept in Liverpool. Helen Connolly, Kirkdale: I just believe that Alder Hey must be in Liverpool. What happens to our children if it moves out of Liverpool? Please let it stay in this city. Mrs Maine, Woolton Village: My brother’s life was saved there and I’m going back 40 years ago. This hospital must not be moved. Listen to the people of Liverpool, please listen. J Jones, Speke: Alder Hey should stay in Liverpool because it’s really helped with my son’s asthma. Carol Webster, Liverpool

Apart from it being the best hospital in Liverpool, my daughter is an oncology patient and sadly more and more children are being diagnosed with cancer. When they haven’t got enough beds on the ward they use other wards and it’s vital that this hospital stays here. Pauline Roberts, Pensby: I would like to say that I think Alder Hey hospital should stay in the area. It wouldn’t be taking u p much of Springfield Park and whenever I pass it nobody is ever using it except walking their dogs

Margaret Brennan, Everton: I just want to say I’m right behind Alder Hey to keep the hospital where it is. My children have been treated there for minor things but the staff and the doctors and everyone there deserve this hospital t o stay. Please God, let it be left in West Derby

Karen Baker, Tuebrook: Alder Hey must stay in Liverpool – how can it be a capital of culture if w e haven’t even got a children’s hospital? Mrs Coleman, Liverpool: Just to say that I do not think Alder Hey should leave Liverpool. Sheila Markey, Roby: I was a patient for many many years and I can’t thank Alder Hey enough for what they’ve done for me. I’m 55 now. I hope it stays in Liverpool