Annual Report and Accounts 2012/13 - Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Directors’ ReportFriends of the Eye Unit: making a difference to patientsFriends provide new day unit foreye surgeryGenerous donations from patients all overthe south west contributed to a £200ktransformation of the eye day surgery unitat the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Theimprovements include new examinationrooms and a new reception and waitingarea.The renovation project was fundedentirely from charitable funds, with £80kfrom the fundraising efforts of the Friendsof the Eye Unit, and £120k from legaciesleft to the Eye Unit.Margaret Neville, Chair of the Friendsof the Eye Unit, said: “This is a massiveimprovement in terms of patient care,dignity and privacy. This investment wasable to happen due to the very generousdonations, legacies and membershipfunding.”Along with the three new examinationrooms, improvements have been made tothe reception area and signage which isnow much clearer - making the unit morewelcoming for everyone.Clinical Director, David Etchells, said:“We are extremely grateful to those whoremember the Eye Unit in their donationsand bequests. Their generous gifts havemade, and continue to make, a realdifference for patients at the unit.”20Volunteers fund wheel chairsWheelchairs funded by a hospitalcharity shop mean patients at the RoyalBournemouth Hospital will reach theirdestination in comfort.The 50 wheelchairs are used by patients’carers or hospital porters to help patientswho have difficulty walking and gettingaround the hospital site.The wheelchairs cost £30k, an amountraised entirely by the hospital charity shopthanks to generous donations from thepublic and the volunteers who give theirtime to organise and assist in the shop atRBH.Dorinda Sheppard, volunteer coordinatorat the shop, said: “It is wonderful to seethe money that we have raised go tohelp patients directly, in assisting them ingetting into the hospital and to the rightdepartment. Many patients are in pain orhave difficulty walking and these chairsmake their visit just a little easier at whatcan be a stressful time.”Ian Barnett-Potts, Portering ServicesManager, said: “The new wheelchairshave replaced ones which had been inuse for 15 years and had clocked upsome 10,000 miles in that time. They arevery sturdy and hard wearing, patients willfind them more comfortable, and the newdesign means they are easier to push.”Annual Report and Accounts 2012/13