Former Health Minister Edwina Currie, and patron of MRSA Action UK met staff at Springfields Nuclear Fuels on the 18th July 2011.   It was an opportunity to recognise Westinghouse's commitment to Derek Butler in giving him time to fulfil his voluntary role as Chairman of MRSA Action UK.  Maria Cann, Derek's partner and Secretary of the charity also took the opportunity to visit the site.

Derek is an engineer at the nuclear plant and has worked there for 30 years.  The company is committed to its staff and Edwina took the opportunity to meet apprentices in the Training Centre as well as a tour of the plant where Derek and his colleagues work.
Edwina also met some young people who were on work experience and talked about the importance of education.  Edwina was particularly impressed with the attention to detail and high quality of work that was produced at the plant, the contribution that the staff make to the industry was highly valued.

Derek was awarded the Chicago based MRSA Survivors' Network 'Man of the Year Award' on October 2nd, World MRSA Day, last year.
   


Colleagues Gary Gibson and Karl Livesey had learned about the award that had been presented to Derek when searching MRSA Action UK's website.  They wanted to share this achievement with colleagues during the visit to Springfields and tipped off the department head Ian Grant to arrange the photo shoot which will feature in Westinghouse's magazine.

Apprentice Ryan Szanto dressed in Staphon the superbug suit for the photographs.  Staphon made an appearance recently with children on Grange Park, Blackpool to encourage them to learn about bugs and microbes and have fun with handwashing.  Supporting colleagues who work in the local community is important to Westinghouse so it was very fitting that Edwina was invited to share in the celebration of achieving the award.

Our thanks go to everyone at Westinghouse for their hospitality and to Edwina for spending the day with us.


Edwina Currie pictured with Derek Butler, Maria Cann and Staphon


Karl Livesey and Gary Gibson join the group






Gary, Karl and Ryan