£20K raised for day beds at Worcestershire hospitals

The fundraising has enabled the Palliative and End of Life Care Team at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust to buy 20 additional day beds.

The beds, 13 of which are now in use at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and seven at Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, will help family members of patients who are nearing the end of their lives.

The appeal was a joint effort between the Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity.

The Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital donated £10,000 towards the project.

The beds are comfortable reclining chairs that can be adjusted to various positions and laid completely flat.

This will help family members to rest more easily during a difficult and emotional time.

Sophie Burt, head of fundraising and community development, said: "I would like to say thank you so much to our donors and supporters for their generosity.

"Thanks go to the Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital for their support of this project donating £10,000 funding 10 chairs for use specifically in Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"The Trust’s Palliative and End of Life Care Teams see every day the difference the day beds make to those patients nearing the end of their lives, and their loved ones who are in the hospital beside them."

Carol Silvester, the chair of the Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital, said: "The purpose of the Friends is to provide support to patients and their families extra to the NHS.

"We have been providing support for hospitals in Worcester for 75 years and as we celebrate our diamond anniversary this year, we are delighted to welcome the incoming Bishop of Worcester as our new president.

"The chance to work in partnership with the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity shows what we can achieve, and if anyone would like to join us to support our fundraising efforts on behalf of the patients and staff of Worcestershire Royal Hospital, we would be delighted to hear from them.”