Friends of Whitstable Hospital & Healthcare
Supporting healthcare in the hospital, medical centres and beyond
Originally formed in 1954, the Friends of the Hospital expanded to become the Friends of Whitstable Hospital and Healthcare in 1991. They support Whitstable Hospital, Whitstable Health Centre, Chestfield Medical Centre and Estuary View Medical Centre, providing assistance, care and fundraising services to primary healthcare in the Whitstable area. The organisation has more that 70 volunteers.
On the hospital ward the Friends provide flowers and newspapers, gifts for patients at Easter and Christmas, a strawberry tea in the summer and they tend the gardens. Volunteers run a regular trolley service, providing day-to-day items and snacks along with a smile and friendly chat.
At Estuary View Medical Centre the Friends run the cafe, where visitors and staff can enjoy hot and cold drinks and light snacks. Patients waiting for appointments or treatment, those waiting for patients or transport home often pop in for refreshment and a chat.
The Friends also provide a visiting and befriending service for people in their own home. Visits take place on a weekly or fortnightly basis and can be a lifeline for those unable to get out and about much on their own.
Healthcare provision is changing and there are ever-increasing demands on the NHS. Since 2016 the Friends have provided equipment to the value of £250,000 to enable diagnostic tests and treatment to be carried out locally. This has included:
- x-ray and blood-testing equipment for Estuary View Urgent Treatment Centre
- specialist furniture for patients on the hospital ward
- 24-hour blood pressure monitors
- a 7-day Electrocardiogram monitor, and
- a dermatoscope for local medical centres
The Friends were acknowledged, not just once but three times, in the Sapphire Awards in recognition of outstanding voluntary achievement in the field of health and social care. Honours were won in 1996, 1998 and 2000.
Quotes
"The League of Friends is much more holistic than just fundraising - they provide community services as well, and give us the opportunity to develop far more." Dr John Ribchester
"They allow us to have those extras that the NHS just won't run to." Dr Hillary Pinnock, Whitstable Health Center
" The Friends actually really do help the whole community. If you're giving to another charity, you can't be sure where your donations are going, but with the Friends you can really see the results." Carolyn Nelson
Friends of Whitstable Hospital and Healthcare benefit from Attend membership, which includes comprehensive charity insurance cover. For more information, or to join, please click here.
