We are incredibly lucky to have volunteers and charities who work tirelessly to raise funds for our hospitals, and this week a special mention goes to one charity which has donated more than £300,000 worth of vital equipment to our Trust.
The League of Friends (LoF) of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) has gifted equipment, ranging from smaller pieces costing a few hundred pounds to larger equipment costing thousands.
It includes eight Intensive Therapy Unit ventilators; a widefield analyser for Ophthalmology and funds towards the new Cataract Suite and five air infection control filters to help prevent the spread of infections.
The generosity of the charity and all its supporters is much appreciated and makes such a difference to our patients at both hospitals, and colleagues too.
The LoF raises funds through generous donations, legacies, profits from its hospital shops situated throughout the RSH, which are run mainly by volunteers, plus numerous fundraising events held throughout the year around the county.
Last week, we welcomed a special visitor to the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) – TV workout star Mr Motivator who came along to encourage staff and patients to get active.
He is a keen advocate for keeping mobile and his visit tied in with our work on the Re-conditioning Games – a national initiative, which was launched in November to encourage everyone to stay active following COVID-19 and lockdowns.
As a result of the pandemic, nationally patients were coming into hospital much frailer than they previously would have been. As part of the games, my colleagues have been encouraging patients to take part in activities such as chair-based exercises, balloon tennis, and themed seasonal events.
It is so important for us all and particularly the elderly to stay active, mobile and healthy, not only in hospital but also at home. It has been shown that keeping mobile can help reduce a person’s stay in hospital and bring both physical and psychological benefits.
Mr Motivator, aka Derrick Errol Evans, also judged a staff Easter competition to design a Patient Information Board focusing on the dangers of inactivity and the benefits of keeping active in hospital and at home.
The winning board designed by Vicki Saddington, a Sister, and the Pre-op Assessment Team, will be replicated at the entrance to both hospital sites raising further awareness.
If you are a qualified nurse, newly qualified nurse, or final year nursing student and looking for a new and exciting career in a fast-paced and supportive environment at our Trust, why not pop along to our Acute Medicine Recruitment Event between 10am and 1pm on Friday (21 April) at the Shropshire Education and Conference Centre (SECC), which is based at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH).
It is the perfect opportunity for you to see what we do in Acute Medicine, meet the team, ask questions, and see if a career in Acute Medicine is for you.
Finally, I would like to wish those of you observing Ramadan a blessed Eid Mubarak.
Later this week, Ramadan comes to an end and will be marked by a religious holiday called Eid al-Fitr (known as ‘little Eid’). Eid al-Fitr sees loved ones gather together to mark the breaking of the fast, give thanks and celebrate the month’s achievements.