Karen Blackmore, Speech & Language Therapist, explained the benefits of the new chair, saying: “Good nutrition is essential to aid in the recovery of patients as well as to maintain independence and dignity, so it is important that patients with difficulty swallowing are treated quickly and appropriately. The new videofluoroscopy chair is portable and adjustable, which makes it easy for the staff to transport patients and accurately position them before the x-ray. As I’m sure the Friends will agree, it’s also extremely comfortable which is far better for our patients as the test can take up to half an hour. We’d all like to thank the Friends for making it possible for us to purchase this chair, and greatly improve the service we can offer our patients.”

Pictured above: Volunteers from the Friends at Broomfield are shown the new chair by the Speech and Language team while Yvonne Carter, Charities Support Officer, tests it for comfort

Gemma Hughes, Lister Ward sister said: “Previously, we always had to borrow an ECG machine from other wards, which was time consuming and delayed treatment for patients.”

“Having one here on the ward makes it so much easier for us. We use it every day and we are extremely grateful to the Friends at Broomfield for helping us improve the treatment we can give to our patients.”

Nick Alston also thanked the members for their ongoing support, saying: “The generosity and support of the Friends has greatly enhanced patient care across the hospital over the years and I am extremely pleased to be able to thank all the members for another significant contribution, which I know will make a huge difference to our staff and patients.”

Elite Tickets has been providing excursions and short breaks to customers in the mid Essex area for the past 14 years. We are please to announce a new and exciting partnership with Elite Tickets to provide support and prizes to the Friends.

From the very beginning Elite Tickets have always believed in working hard to meet and hopefully exceed customer’s expectations . They guarantee as standard, a professional and personalised service.

As well as theatre and concert trips, weekend breaks and continental trips by coach, Elite Tickets also strive to source innovative excursions to places not generally accessible to groups, thereby providing a wide selection of trips to suit most tastes.

For more information visit – www.eliteticketsltd.co.uk

The Friends have contributed £3,558 towards the new touch-screen colour hand-held scanner, which is more than half the equipment’s total cost of £6,000.

Alison Douglas, chairman of Friends at Broomfield Hospital said: “Scans can now be done in the outpatient clinic on the same day and, as the scanner is so light and portable, it can easily be moved around the ward and operated at the bedside, wherever it’s needed most urgently.”

“This means the medical team can not only make a correct diagnosis early, but can also be confident to reassure and discuss appropriate treatment with patients. It also frees up the radiography department and allows them to concentrate of providing more involved scans that may be required. The scanner is our latest donation of specialist equipment to the hospital and we are delighted that it will help improve the service for urology patients.”

A “Go British” event which included a fabulous fashion show at Chelmsford Star Co-op’s Quadrant store in Chelmsford has resulted in a £560 donation for Friends at Broomfield Hospital.

The special evening attracted more than 100 people and the highlight was the fashion show, featuring outfits for all occasions for men and women, modelled by Friends at Broomfield Hospital volunteers and supporters.

The emphasis was on British goods and products and as well as being able to look around the store and take advantage of discounts on a wide range of items, people who came along on the night enjoyed glasses of wine, cookery demonstrations and tastings, including delicious Rossi ice cream. A well-supported raffle gave a boost to funds raised.

Proceeds from the event were divided between Friends at Broomfield Hospital and another charity, Canine Partners.

Jenny Gillingham and Barbara Coupe, long-standing volunteers with the Friends and joint managers of the shop are delighted with its new look and improved set up. “We have more shop space and a better layout for the fittings. Everything looks brighter and better after being painted and decorated, “ said Jenny.

“We have had some very good feedback and one of the doctors at the hospital suggested that the shop should be called The Tardis, because now there is more room inside than you expect. We are very proud of the shop and know that our customers will feel even more welcome with the improved surroundings.”

Barbara said: “It is brilliant to have more space to display a wider range of stock. We have a new fridge, a better coffee machine and we can now accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs much more easily. The whole thing feels so much better, it was quite cramped before. The refurbishment, which was paid for by the Friends, was much needed as the last one was about eight years ago.”

The shop, at the South entrance to the hospital, sells a wide range of goods including sandwiches, soft drinks, fresh fruit, yoghurts, newspapers and magazines, greetings cards, confectionary and some toiletries. It is one of the two shops run on the Broomfield Hospital site by the Friends group.

It is open all day from Monday to Friday, with shorter opening hours at weekends and on bank holidays. The shop is also a focal point for volunteers from the Friends who take stocked-up trolleys around the wards seven days a week, so patients can buy items they need.

The shop was only closed for a few days during refurbishment and was officially re-opened by Professor Sheila Salmon, chairman of Mid Essex Hospitals Trust, who praised the volunteers for their work in running the shop and raising funds for the hospital.

Alison Douglas, chairman of Friends at Broomfield Hospital said : “We are delighted that our much valued shop at the South entrance has been given a great makeover and is now more spacious, with a fresh modern look. The shop’s surroundings now match the excellent service given to customers by our wonderful volunteers.”

For more details about the Friends at Broomfield Hospital contact Barbara Coupe  01245 443285