Trust thanks its volunteers

On Wednesday 7 September, the Chairman of Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Christopher Langley, hosted an evening supper to meet some of the volunteers whose assistance helps the Trust to support patients. The occasion provided an opportunity for the Chairman and some of the Trust’s directors to meet volunteers and thank them for their invaluable contribution.

Mr Langley said “I’m pleased that once again so many of our volunteers could make it to our annual event. Our volunteers selflessly contribute in so many ways to enrich the stay of patients and never expect or ask for accolades. I believe it is important that their support, help and dedication are recognised and they can see that their commitment and the time they give is genuinely appreciated by everyone. This evening is just a small token to show our gratitude and thanks.”

Most of the volunteers help on wards; chatting to patients, running errands for staff, lending a hand during mealtimes and helping to keep the wards a pleasant environment. The Trust is also fortunate to have many volunteers who undertake clerical or administrative work, and benefits from helpers in rehabilitation and human resources. Others are involved with the Trust’s two hospital radio services, the League of Friends, the chaplaincy and the WRVS services.

There are also an increasing number of corporate volunteers from local businesses, who sign up for one day projects, which may involve a garden make over for one of the wards, or the redecoration of a ward day room.

Organiser of the evening, Patient Information and Voluntary Services Coordinator Tricia Wright, said “The Volunteers’ Supper gives us the opportunity to publicly acknowledge our fantastic volunteers, whose commitment and enthusiasm is so much appreciated by both patients and staff. They add something special to our patients’ experience on the wards. We are very lucky to have them.”

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Notes to editors

• Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a large and diverse population of over 450,000 which includes Ascot, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Slough, south Buckinghamshire and Windsor

• The Trust provides medical, surgical and outpatient services from two main hospital sites at Wexham Park in Slough and Heatherwood in Ascot and employs approximately 3,200 members of staff

• The Trust also manages outpatient services in Windsor, Maidenhead, Bracknell and Chalfont St Peter, and runs a breast screening and diagnostic service and chest clinic at King Edward VII Hospital

• We were recently awarded with a CHKS Top 40 Hospitals award covering safety, clinical effectiveness, health outcomes, efficiency, patient experience and quality of care.