Published on 07 February 2020
Patients waiting for emergency treatment will be able to keep their loved ones updated more easily thanks to a donation from the Friends of the William Harvey Hospital.
The group has bought a Chargebox for the hospital’s emergency department so people can charge their mobiles and devices for free.
The equipment cost more than £10,000 and was requested after a project to ask patients and staff how the emergency department could be improved.
Friends manager Jill Barringer said: “The Chargebox will have a real benefit to people who are waiting for emergency treatment as it means they will be able to keep their worried loved ones informed about what’s happening.
“It means relatives may not need to phone the department for updates, freeing staff to spend more time looking after patients.”
The donation was one of five approved by the Friends’ board, totalling more than £30,000.
Other items purchased for the hospital include a 3D printer and handheld scanner for head and neck cancer patients, costing almost £18,500. A device to help patients with mobility issues to safely stand up and move between their hospital bed and a chair has also been given to the Surgical Emergency Assessment Unit.
The Friends also funded aquatic therapy for children at the Stour Centre, and bought two sofas and two new chairs for a ward’s waiting area, to provide a more comfortable space for patients and visitors.
The purchases are funded by the Friends’ fundraising throughout the year, as well as profits from the hospital shop.
For more information on the Friends and how to get involved, find their Facebook page, visit www.friendsofthewilliamharveyhospital.co.uk, email jill.barringer@nhs.net or call 07854 033987.
The Friends also welcome ideas for projects or items to improve the life of patients, visitors or staff.
