HOYLAKE Cottage Hospital charity fashion show is just around the corner, with just 11 days to go until the event at Thornton Hall Hotel on Sunday, March 15, at 7.30pm.

Among those involved are Jennifer for Shoes and Fashions, Opulence Bridal Wear, What's Cutting, Top Knots for wigs and hairstyling, Hoylake Beauty Clinic and Now Models of Meols.

Tickets, priced £7.50, are available from: Gould's Stationers in Heswall and West Kirby; What's Cutting, West Kirby Hoylake Cottage Hospital, Hoylake Beauty Clinic Jennifer's Fashions, West Kirby or by 'phone on 625-0723.

Hoylake Cottage Hospital caters predominantly for the elderly in our area, but offers four separate services.

There is a nursing unit with 40 beds with referrals from GPs, social services, consultants and carers. This unit provides short and long-term care, medical, post-surgical, assisted self-care, high dependency nursing care, terminal and respite care.

The hospital also has the Sandhills Day Hospital for elderly people with mental health problems. Victoria House has eight flatlets for independent living on the first floor of the hospital. A resident housemother provides a daily main meal and other services as required.

The Cottagers' Club is run by a team of volunteers who look after up to 25 people every weekday. A hot meal, entertainment and regular outings are provided. Transport in their own minibus with wheelchair lift is available to those who need it. Those attending are asked to contribute £3 per visit towards the operating costs.

The Cottage Hospital was closed by the NHS in 1983 and left as an empty shell. Following a massive public campaign, it was reopened the following year as a Charitable Trust.

The four different services now provided are financed by contracting with the local Social Services and Health Authorities and by contributions from users.

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