Where now for the Friends of Grantown's hospital?
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Does the closure of Grantown’s beloved Ian Charles Hospital mean the same for its devoted Friends? Far from it.
The office-bearers were at pains earlier this week to stress that it could mean a bright new era for the group, which could now expand its horizons across the strath to do the same vital job for the patients and staff at the new Badenoch and Strathspey Community Hospital.
“There is still a huge role for such a group to play,” said the chair, Celia Bloomfield, “helping to top up essential equipment and comforts that the NHS cannot always budget for. That need is always going to be there. But the future of any extended group will very much depend on a new generation of volunteers and office-bearers. We want to see new blood for the new era and we’re confident that it will come, because the role played by the Friends is such a significant one, appreciated by staff and patients alike.”
When set up in 1986, under the chairmanship of the late Irene Liggat, the remit was to ‘supply benefits for the patients not provided by the NHS’ and over the decades the remit has expanded somewhat.
In consultation with the medical staff, innumerable items of equipment have been bought from the money generously donated or raised at the group’s annual fund-raising coffee morning, sale of Christmas cards and so on.
Most recently, crucial equipment was provided for the ‘Heather Beds’ accommodation at the town’s Grant House care home.
The Friends were also involved with the development group for the new hospital in Aviemore.
A staggering £285,000-plus has resulted since The Friends’ inception. The major part was donated by families keen to show their gratitude for all the skill and kindness shown by the staff at the hospital, and through funeral collections, but all of it topped up on the Friends’ own initiatives.
Secretary and treasurer Deidre McCreath explained: “We would ask the various departments for their ‘wish list’ before our meetings and over the years have provided a large amount of useful equipment.
“It’s a bit tricky to work out how many ladies have been on the committee over the years but we think about 100.”
Originally the GPs would also sit on the committee. The Friends’ contribution to the Ian Charles community was extensive, producing at least two £7000 hoists and installation of a state-of-the-art kitchen for the occupational therapy staff.
Some 12 new beds were supplied and the day room refurbished, along with rooms 1 and 6.
Over the years the hospital has benefited with electronic chairs, much appreciated TVs, patio furniture and all kinds of medical and physio equipment.
Expensive kitchen equipment, including large freezers, a Kenwood mixer and microwave all helped make life easier at the the hospital having met the exacting standards required by the medical environment.
Annual payments have long been paid for garden plants around the whole site. Patients became accustomed to receiving top quality emergency toiletry packs and when successive festive seasons arrived so, too, did well-chosen Christmas presents for both patients and medical staff alike.
“Long may this go on,” said the chair. “We hope to see a new Friends group formed for the new hospital from across the strath."
The current office-bearers suggest anyone who wants to continue the great work need only email Celia Bloomfield, the present chair, by email at bellbloomfield@gmail.com
“The work is not exactly onerous, just hugely important and very much appreciated by those who benefit from it.
“As a committee we don’t have that many meetings – just the formal minimum really at about three a year – and it’s all done by simply keeping in touch over the various aspects of the work.
“This would be a good time for new office-bearers to come forward too.
“New blood is always a good idea for any organisation but this is the start of a new era so we would love to hear from anyone wanting to take it forward.”
The AGM of the Friends of Ian Charles Hospital takes place next month.
