News...News....News...

February 2011

Now well into the New Year we have to remind ourselves that our new hospital is embarking on it's 5th year and what a year it is likely to be! As well as the government white paper on the NHS we have a merger between Hampshire Community Health Care (us) and Hampshire Partnership Foundation Trust, the specialist mental health trust. The aims here are not only to deliver economies of scale but to deliver to patients a wider range of services and care through an enlarged and restructured community service. The very good news is that Katrina Percy, previously CEO of HCHC has been appointed to head up the new organisation. We wish Katrina every success in her new role and will support her whenever and wherever we can do so.

As usual we started the year with our Volunteers Lunch at St. Thomas's which was again appreciated by many of our regular volunteers. There was much meeting and greeting to accompany the excellent spread organised by Vice Chair Jacqui England to whom a grateful vote of thanks from all present.

Recent visitors to the hospital will have seen that the builders are in! The alterations are internal only and will provide an expanded Minor Injuries Unit. The area currently occupied by the unit will allow Medical Assessment Unit to expand also. These alterations are necessary due to changes in demand since the opening of the hospital. Completion of the work is on schedule for April 1st. 2011

The extreme weather over the past months put huge pressure on staff here. As well as high levels of flu' victims we suffered Noro Virus infection and ultimately a shortage of beds. Inevitably, staff went off sick, wards had to be closed and Day Surgery facilities used for in patients. Looking back the managers and all staff performed brilliantly and came through with flying colours. Well done. Incidently the League of Friends services went on uninterrupted too - rather like the Windmill -we never close. Ask your Grandad about that one!

We are continuing to seek the help of Scottish & Southern Electric to allow footpath access through their sub-station site to the hospital from Marsh Lane. If you have an opportunity to lobby for this facility please give us your support.

Dates for your Diary

May 8th - 8am Car Boot Sale in the hospital car park

June 4th - 9am - 12noon Flag Day Lymington, Milford, New Milton, Sway, Brockenhurst etc.

September 10th - 2pm - 5pm Friends Fete & Open Day in the hospital grounds.

The direct link to Just Giving has been discontinued for the time being due to a lack of use. This is because we do not get many visitors to this web site. In common with our overall plans to expand the work of the League of Friends we will be advertising and promoting the web site as well as raising our profile in the community seeking support with both time and money.

The Friends office in the main foyer of the hospital is open from 8.30 until 5.00pm every week day