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Following more than six decades of incredible fundraising to support patients, staff and visitors - the Friends of Stamford Hospital have presented their final donation.

The Charity has been raising funds since 1963 to provide amenities and comforts for patients and staff. 

Funds raised during that time have totalled over £500,000 - with £330,000 of this being raised since the year 2000. 

The Friends' latest and final donation was presented to the Urology team at Stamford & Rutland Hospital, with prostate health patients set to benefit from a portable handheld ultrasound probe.

The probe measures the prostate to work out the PSA density and identify high risk patients who may require an MRI.

Lauren Henson, Urology Lead Nurse at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, explained: “Because it is portable, it allows assessments to be carried out across a range of clinical settings; including remote and outreach clinics, and therefore improving access to care and reducing the need for additional hospital visits. 

“It can also reduce unnecessary MRI scans, provide tailored re-referral thresholds, and ensure patients receive the right care at the right time, while making best use of healthcare resources.”

Representatives from the Friends were greeted and thanked for their many years of fundraising by members of the Urology team, the Hospitals' Charity and North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Charlotte Williams during a recent official handover of the equipment.

 

Charlotte said: “We are immensely grateful to the Friends of Stamford Hospital - past and present - for their incredible support and dedication over six decades. 

“We know from the vast number of items of equipment purchased, and donations made in other areas, that the lives of so many patients, staff and visitors have been touched by their kindness and on behalf of the Trust, an enormous thank you.” 

Some of the other big spends have included:

·         An hysteroscope for the gynaecology team - £35,000

·         Ophthalmology system - £27,600

·         MRI unit specialist chairs and trolley - £10,287

·         Bladder scanner - £9,538

·         MRI audio system - £8,407

·         Handheld ultrasound scanner - £7,539 

Hundreds of patients from Stamford, Peterborough and the surrounding areas have benefited from the incredible fundraising efforts.

However, the past few years have become more of a challenge for the Friends.

Friends Chair Kay Hircock said: “For a small, local charity, over £500,000 is an exceptional amount which has been spent wisely and with much deliberation.

“The profile of Friends groups - Stamford, Peterborough, Hinchingbrooke etc, which rely on volunteers, has diminished over time and it seems appropriate now to hand over to the Hospitals Charity - which covers all Trust localities.

“So, we come to the end of an era which has seen healthcare develop in ways unthought of in 1963! Our good wishes for the future go to all the staff of the Trust.”

 

Friends' Facts:

·         Apart from the general committee of Trustees, the Friends have always had patronage from the Marquess of Exeter and his descendants, along with the Earl of Ancaster and his descendants, currently Mrs Miranda Rock and Lady Jane Willoughby de Eresby.

·         The Chair has traditionally been a consultant working within the Trust and over the 63-year history of the Friends, there have only been five - each one taking on the role for a number of years. 

·         The current committee comprises of ex-medical and non-medical staff, a local GP, and others associated with the Health Service.