As a group of Trustees we provide services and equipment that the NHS cannot or will not supply, or in a number of cases, equipment to a far higher specification to make the life of both patients and staff a bit easier.
Since the formation in 1953, the Friends have provided funding for projects and equipment for the hospitals. A record of items purchased by the Friends started being kept in 1990 and since then the Friends have honoured some 550 requests for items to benefit staff and patients.
Here is a list of some of the projects we have funded and the equipment we have provided over the years, both large and small:
- In 1997 the decision to enhance the front entrance was taken as the old entrance was overgrown and in a terrible state (£40,000 spend).
- The installation of electric doors at all entrances to allow the patients and visitors easier access.
- Provision of Renal Dialysis equipment. Additionally, we have also replaced the 12 television sets for patients on dialysis to watch and listen to whilst lying down for 3 hours or so at a time.
- The creation and furnishing of the Chapel in the Hospital.
- Replacement of all the old x-ray equipment, as well as refurbishing the Bone Densitometry Department and providing a new Bone Densitometry Unit (£120,000 spend).
- Landscaping the grounds at the main Hospital entrance and car park, including new planters, beds, plants, and an iron sculpture (£40,000 spend), plus taking over the ongoing maintenance of the improved areas.
- Replacement of tired wooden benches around the site with sturdy recycled plastic benches which can be easily cleaned.
- New dementia friendly and easy to read clocks for the wards and side rooms which show the time and date.
- In 2019, we purchased 6 patient treatment couches for use in the Minor Injuries Unit. These are electrically operated when the NHS standard is manually operated, which has reduced the level of staff absence due to manual handling injuries.
- In 2019, refurbishment of the Physiotherapy Unit with the most modern equipment available and featuring a modern gym-style floor. Also provided was an Anti-Gravity Treadmill which can alter the body weight of the user to aid faster recuperation for patients recovering from hip and knee surgery and enable patients to exercise who would otherwise be unable to. The treadmill is one of only two in the south of England and puts the Unit on par with the training facilities at Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club (£180,000 spend).
- In 2020 we replaced our very well-used and tired Fete stalls with new stalls and a gazebo, as well as purchasing new chairs and tables for use at the Fete.
- Refurbishment of the Chapel Garden which had been in place for some 40 years. The Garden was completely stripped and refurbished with new furniture and planters (£10,000 spend).
- Equipment and kit for the new relocated Friends office.
- Replacement of 12 televisions in Don Baines and Leslie Smith Wards (approx. £4,000 spend).
- Enhancements to the wards such as bed curtains for patient privacy, wheelchairs with security pay slots to ensure their return, refrigerators for staff to use in various departments, as well as information manuals to help staff keep their practice knowledge up to date.
- Following creation of the Centenary Wing, we funded new signage for the Hospital including dementia friendly pictograms (£10,000 spend).
- Kitting out the refreshed Tea Bar in its new location near the war memorial, including a new card payment facility and small tables so that customers can rest their drinks.
- A new microwave for the staff room to replace the very old one being used (£70 spend).
- A Wispa hoist for the wards which enables residents and their relatives or carers to see and practice using the recommended hoist on their return home (£1,392 spend).
- Hearing loops and headphones for both wards to assist patients with hearing problems to better understand their exercises ready for going home (project agreed March 2023 and in progress, £439 spend).
- Refurbishment of the War Memorial including artificial grass and a plaque.
- 10 staff lockers for Don Baines ward (£1748.30 spend, September 2023).
- 2 reclining chairs for the Rheumatology infusion suite (£3,792.52 spend, September 2023) to improve comfort for patients.
- A new lighter trolley for the Friends Tea Bar volunteers to take around the wards (£281.98 spend).
- 4 lockers for Leslie Smith Ward staff use (£614.44 spend, March 2024).
- 2 giant wooden tumbling tower blocks and 2 jumbo plastic coated playing card sets to be used by the volunteers with patients on both wards ( £87.96 spend, March 2024).
- Replacement bike shed at the rear of the hospital which includes a living roof and environmentally friendly area (£13,812 spend, May 2024).
- Jet washing of the Chapel Garden patio (£310 spend, May 2024).
- Replacement barbecue for the Catering Department to use at our annual Summer Fete (£600 spend, May 2024).
- Two maintenance-free picnic tables for the area to the rear of the physiotherapy gym for use by all members of staff (£1584 spend, July 2024).
- Two Shockwave Therapy equipment for use by the Podiatry, MSK and Physio teams, including trollies and training (£41,960 spend, September 2024).
- Polo shirts and tabards for the Friends of the Hospital volunteers (£424 spend, September 2024).
- Additional Friends gazebos for use at the Summer Fete (£2,554 spend, September 2024).
- A replacement mini fridge for the General Office (£139 spend, September 2024).
- Budget agreed for presents to give to patients on both wards at Christmas (£720 spend, September 2024).