Membership
This page is designed to let you get to know a little bit about the people who are on the Patient Panel in the form of short pen portraits.
Richard Barras:
In May 2005, at the age of 69, I had a triple by-pass operation at Northern General. This was successful and the post-operational care I received was excellent.
In October that year, in an attempt to put something back into the hospital, I joined the Sheffield Open Heart Club. This involves talking to patients on the Chesterman Ward who will be having their operation the following day and also attending the pre-operation in formation sessions organised for cardiac patients.
When the Patient Panel was set up in 2008 I saw that as another opportunity for me to put a little bit back into the hospital.
The majority of my working life has been spent in Higher Education and I felt that my subject specialism (Physics) and my leadership and management skills may be useful to the Panel. The work has been challenging, interesting, enlightening and extremely worthwhile.
W. Alan French:
In my roll as a Patient Representative attached to pharmacy I have enjoyed visiting the various hospitals and meeting patients.
I try to find out if the needs of the patients are being met and I try to explain the system and report any concerns they may have to the Pharmacy Board Meeting which I attend each month.
I also enjoy visiting new developments with the other patient reps and governors. I find these visits instructive.
My only skills are the ones acquired during my working life when I was dealing with people and I am now looking forward to taking a more active part on the Patient Panel.
Gerald Brooks:
1983 Heart Attack
1992 November Triple Bypass
1993 June Triple Bypass
2003 May Cardiac Arrest whilst Go-Karting. Defibrillator fitted
2007 October Defibrillator became infected and had to be removed and another Defibrillator fitted.
In spite of the above I started up a new company with my business partner in August 1984 and built it up from nothing to a turnover of over £6 million. I became Chairman of the Yorkshire & North East Region of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors in May 2009 a post I will occupy until May 2011.
Margaret Brooks:
I qualified as a Nurse in 1972 then spent ten years nursing on Neurosurgery Ward Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield.
Qualified as a District Nursing Sister 1986, working in many areas of Sheffield until retiring in 2006. I am still working on a part time basis. Being married to the above since 1971, I have both professional and personal experience of chronic cardiac patients and their problems.
John Warner:
I am a Public Governor of the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust.
As a Governor my role is to :-
• Represent the interests of the public at large
• Understand and contribute to the policy of the Trust
• Become involved with the work and development of areas within the Trust.
The work of CVBRU therefore not only fitted with my role as Governor but was of personal interest to me because I had a heart attack in 2004 and suffered from DVT in 2003. If I can contribute in any way to preventing or helping people who suffer from coronary disease in the future I am happy to do so.
W.T. Raynes:
Born and raised in Bentley, Doncaster. I was educated at local primary and secondary schools as well as London University. I conducted scientific research in Canada and the U.S before spending 35 years as a member of the academic staff in the Chemistry Department at the University of Sheffield. I am now retired.
In 2005 I had triple bypass surgery and since 2006 I have been a member of Sheffield Open Heart Club and a volunteer on Chesterman Ward at the Northern General.
I am married with three children and 7 grandchildren. My hobbies include music, reading, family history and watching, often painfully, Sheffield United.
Molly Todd:
I like to absorb the salient points of discussions to enable me to give reasoned and constructive opinion to the subject under debate. I would be considered a good listener and do not bring a self opinionated view to people and situations.
Academically I have a degree in Social Sciences from the Open University, an Advanced Diploma in Counselling from Leeds University and a certificate in Bereavement Counselling from Cruse. I utilise this by being a voluntary bereavement counsellor for Cruse, Chesterfield branch based at Ashgate Hospice. I also have a teaching certificate from Chesterfield College and taught 'O' Level Sociology for a time.
At a lighter level I am an active member of a reading group, a poetry society and a botanical illustration society. I sit on the patient panel of our local general practice.
