The League of the Friends of Pembury Hospital

Welcome to the Twenty-third newsletter of The League of the Friends of Pembury Hospital. This is published regularly to update our existing members and to attract new members. If you would like more information about the League or matters in this newsletter, please contact Alan Davis, Honorary Secretary,

Letter from the Chairman

As the new hospital development gathers momentum and the Trust puts together its detailed plans, so we too have to plan ahead.

We are working ever closer with our colleagues from the Kent & Sussex League, which will eventually lead to a full merger of our two leagues and a pooling of our resources.

We are talking to Trust representatives about how we can best assist patients and staff in the new hospital. New ideas and enthusiastic volunteers are always welcome so why not come and join us?

In the next few weeks watch out for our Grand Raffle draw, the proceeds of which we traditionally use to make donations to the wards at Chrismas. Staff make good efforts every year at Christmas to brighten the wards, and we are pleased to assist them and to encourage healthy competition for the best decorations. Last year our Grand Raffle draw raised over £1,400 after expenses, and this year we would like to do even better. Please support us.

Gary Purdy

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Fundraising 2005

We have again this year been generously supported by the Tonbridge Model Railway who allowed us to collect at their run on August Bank Holiday, where we raised £300.

We are also extremely grateful to Richard Hochfeld Ltd, who are again donating the £300 first prize for our raffle, and Seafrance who are donating the second prize of a five day return Dover/Calais for a car and up to four passengers. The third prize of £100 has been donated by R Durtnell & Son Ltd.

We continue to collect at major stores raising substantial sums.

There is to be a collection at Tesco, Pembury on 13 & 14 January 2006, and volunteers are asked to contact Betty Law on 01892 834149, who would be pleased to hear from you if you could help.

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We say Goodbye to Jean Louch

We say goodbye to one of our most loyal supporters, Jean Louch, who has resigned from Council as she is moving to Dorset to be near her family.

Jean retired from Pembury Hospital as a midwifery sister in 1994, at which point she started her volunteer work. After helping with our summer fete stalls, she became Fete Organiser for four years from 2000 to 2004. Jean then took on the role of press relations officer.

Jean has been a stalwart and loyal volunteer working tirelessly for the League and other local charities. She will be greatly missed, but we all wish her well in her move to Dorset.

Major Projects Approved in 2005

Approval has been given for the purchase from League funds of five new profiling beds for Ruth Ward costing approximately £7,000. These give maternity patients the ability to adjust the contour of the beds themselves and so maximise their comfort.

We have also agreed to provide a second new visual field analyser for the Eye Clinic costing £12,000 (the first was given in 2002). This equipment offers early detection of visual loss. This, together with a newly appointed consultant ophthalmologist with glaucoma expertise, will help the clinic to develop as a centre of excellence.

Finally, we were pleased to be able to grant £8,640 to the Neonatal Unit to enable them to purchase a new Draeger Babytherm Incubator.

Diary Note

Christmas Raffle draw to be held in the Pembury Hospital Shop on Wednesday, 14 December 2005 at 12 noon.

Raffle Tickets available directly from margaret Craven on 01732 352771 or the Hospital Shop or Admin Reception.

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