News

Bedside Book Service launched

Volunteers Sue Ellingham and Louise Lindsay with one of the two book trolleys which will tour some of KGH’s wards Book Service launch April 1

Kettering General Hospital is launching a new Bedside Book Service for patients from April 1, 2019.

The aim is to enable patients to have access to lots of different kinds of books to keep them entertained during their stay in hospital.

The new service will be run entirely by KGH volunteers and will initially serve four wards – Deene B, Lilford and Harrowden A and Harrowden C wards.

The books themselves have been donated to the service by members of staff and the local community.

Kettering General Hospital’s Head of Voluntary Services, Alex Doherty, said – “This is a great new development for our patients and the fact that it will be run entirely by volunteers is something I am really proud of.

“KGH currently has 196 volunteers who work in a wide variety of roles at the hospital but having a book service is a new venture for us.

“With the support of the KGH Charity Fund we have been able to buy two book trolleys and have been overwhelmed by the number and quality of books that have been donated to launch the service.

“Patients will be able to choose from a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books and, if they want to, they can take the book home with them rather than leave it behind half finished!

“Some patients just appreciate the opportunity to read an interesting book, helping the time pass whilst in hospital.”

Kettering General Hospital’s Fundraising Manager, Christina Kelly, said: “This just goes to show the difference that even small donations to the Charity can make.

“We have received hundreds of books that have thoughtfully been donated by people in our local community.”

KGH Governors Sheila White and Wendy Patel are both members of the Trust’s Patient Experience Group. Sheila said “We are both so glad to see this idea finally come to fruition. It will really make a difference to patients – not only by offering the chance of a good read but also the interaction between patients and the volunteers. Human contact is so very important.”

Volunteer, Sue Ellingham, who will take the trolley to Harrowden A and C wards, and who also volunteers on Harrowden A, said:  “This is a great initiative and will help make the day feel shorter for our patients.”

If anyone has good quality paperback books that they would like to donate to the scheme please simply drop them off at the main reception desk in the hospital.

If anyone would like to join our growing band of volunteers please contact Alex Doherty – 01536 491580 or email volunteering@kgh.nhs.uk

To make a financial donation – or help with fundraising activities - contact Christina Kelly at the KGH Charity Fund on 01536 491569.

 

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