PPG Member Profiles

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Diane McCormick (Chair)

Diane started her career as a Radiographer at Whiston Hospital after studying at Liverpool University. Diane then moved to ICI Occupational Health and after training in Health, Safety and Environment and Quality Assurance processes became SHE Systems Manager for ICI Occupational Health in the Northwest.  

Since retirement Diane has been involved with the NHS for several years as Halton Governor for Bridgewater Community NHS Foundation Trust as well as sitting as a member on the Halton Health Watch Advisory Board. Diane is an active member of the local community forum in Halton View and the WI

Diane is proud of our NHS and believes strongly in patient involvement and to that end would encourage others to join our PPG

Dawn Nicholls

Dawn is an experienced banking professional, who worked for Lloyds TSB for over 20 years and is now a full-time mum to George who was born in 2010. Dawn has been married to Paul for over 27 years and they live in the Birchfield area.

Dawn enjoys nearly all sports including watching rugby and Formula One. She supports Widnes Vikings and follows the Mercedes F1 team. Dawn also enjoys spending time with her family and likes travelling both at home and to her favourite holiday spot: Orlando. She is one of the youngest PPG members and can represent the experiences of those with young children.

Christine Grice 

Chris is a patient at Fir Park Medical Centre. She joined the PPG to hopefully support & have some input into the proposed new practice.

Since retiring she has spent some time fundraising for Marie Curie & volunteering for OPEN (Older Peoples Empowerment Network) & Cancer Awareness with HBC health team.

She enjoys taking part in various forums to help shape how we look after older people as she get older herself!

Chris is a widow, with one son and 3 great grand-kids.

She loves cruising & travelling in general reading & watching TV!

John Parle 

John was born, bred, schooled and has worked in Widnes all his life. He is still working as MD of Property & Construction Business based in Widnes.

John is married with 2 children

Hobbies: Rugby (both codes)
Trustee of Widnes RUFC
Trustee and Chairman of Abbeyfield Widnes Society
Trustee and Chairman of Life Education Centre's North West

John was awarded an MBE 2016

Maureen Kerry-Lewis

Maureen started her career as a Typist within ICI; Secretary, Buyer and Export Sales Correspondent for Laporte; Resource Executive for ICL. She retired at 70.  She has been with the Practice as a patient for 73 years.  Maureen joined the PPG as an Older Patient and interest in all aspect of the Practice and the NHS. She is married with 2 Children and 4 Grandchildren.

Jeff Ditchfield JP

Jeff has spent his career working in Engineering for Major Uk based and International chemical companies, locally Albright & Wilson / thermPhos Uk and more recently Tata Chemicals (formally ICI Brunner Mond) before a very recent move into the demanding Food & Drinks Industry based in Liverpool, which includes dealing with the day to day requirements of FMCG including H&S, Planning, Management of contractors and procurement.

Jeff lives in the Farnworth area of North Widnes and has 5 grandchildren all with “that” large personality.

Having an interest in driving Jeff used to be a trainer for the local IAM and driver for SJA, but now prefers jetting off to the sunnier climate of the Middle East. A great believer not only in our justice system but also our fantastic NHS and how the differences that local NHS services can offer that can enhance people’s lives, this makes the PPG a natural choice of trying to be involved in an excellent and top rated surgery offering the best to its patients.

Shirley Woodhouse

Shirley has been a patient with the practice since 1985. She moved to Widnes in 1981 and has lived in Halebank since 1988. Three of her four adult children have moved away from Widnes over recent years but she has made Widnes her forever home.

Shirley was brought up in Shropshire and at 19 moved to Liverpool to train as a nurse. She followed this by doing midwifery. However, she then spent 35 happy years with Liverpool City Council working in mental health.

Shirley took early retirement in 2014 and is thoroughly enjoying the freedom. She does some voluntary work with Halton’s Older Peoples Empowerment Network (Halton OPEN) and is keen to be involved with our PPG. Shirley hopes to see the excellent GP services we enjoy at Appleton Village being maintained and improved upon, especially with the proposed move to new premises.

 

Maureen Isherwood

Maureen has been a patient at the practice since 1983. She is married and has two grown up boys. After thirty-seven years working as a civil servant, Maureen had a change in career in 2018, when she took up the role of Outreach and Engagement worker for a local cancer charity. This is a role that she enjoys immensely.

In her free time Maureen enjoys various hobbies including Card-making, reading and baking.

Maureen joined the PPG in October 2018. She believes it is vital that patients have the opportunity to be heard and to be able to influence how NHS services are delivered and accessed by our patients.