September 13, 2007

11:19am Wednesday 12th September 2007

AS we are now in the Parliamentary Recess I am not in London from every Monday to Thursday and so having been a member of the Hospital League of Friends committee for more than 30 years I was glad to be able to attend their September meeting this week.

It was good to hear that after all the setbacks and disappointments so long ago when our hospital was downgraded that the Friends are still very active.

They have conserved their funds carefully so that they can be certain they are used primarily for local people's health care and I was delighted to learn that they have agreed to support the maintenance of x-ray facilities at Kidderminster during the daytime at weekends.

This will avoid unnecessary trips to Worcester and with the availability of the digitised x-ray system that allows immediate transfer of pictures to Worcester and even to specialist radiologists' home computers there will be no chance of lack of expert opinion when needed for difficult films.

The League also approved a substantial sum to update and improve the equipment at our cardiac rehabilitation clinic, run so ably by Sally Mansfield. I was delighted to hear of the high regard for this service from other parts of the county and the desire of hospital authorities to bring patients from Worcester to benefit from the excellent service uniquely available here.

Many readers will remember that it will be ten years in October since the opening of the Millbrook Suite, known as the Cancer Resource Centre before it was formally named.

This was provided by amazing gifts of £400,000 in little over 12 months to the specific appeal. It is now being used by hundreds of patients for treatment and support and journeys, particularly to Wolverhampton, for chemotherapy have been minimised.

It is no surprise that it has outgrown itself and that changes in clinical practice are demanding changes. After much discussion it has been decided to maintain it in its current position but to enlarge it by expanding into part of the old pharmacy and to update the furnishings and equipment.

The League of Friends has been asked to contribute in a major way to these exciting changes and at the meeting this week the committee agreed to look at this proposal in depth to decide whether it would be an appropriate use of funds and then whether an appeal should be launched.

Remembering the immense help given by the Shuttle/Times & News to the original appeal, I hope you will read more about this in these columns if the scheme receives the League's support.

The League's Second Gear shops in Kidderminster and Stourport continue to produce a healthy income as does the Coffee Shop thanks to the large teams of willing volunteers who in addition, it was agreed at the meeting, will soon start a much needed outpatient trolley service.

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