This week I would like to say thank you to all the volunteers out there who make such a massive contribution to our Trust and other organisations across the country.
Volunteers’ Week runs from tomorrow (1 June) until Tuesday 7 June and here at our Trust it gives us time to recognise the valued work that they do for our patients, visitors and my colleagues.
Here, we have 294 volunteers who dedicate over 1,000 hours of service each week across 30 different roles. They all play a special part in the functioning of the Trust and go above and beyond in everything that they do.
Each and every volunteer will often think that they have not done much, but I can say they play such an important part in our Trust and the smallest of acts can mean so much to us all.
Our volunteers are from a wide variety of ages and come from many different backgrounds, but they will also say they get so much out of their roles and being able to help people.
Volunteers can make a real difference to the experience of our patients, relatives and staff, so please get in touch if you can help. All the details are on our website www.sath.nhs.uk/ volunteers, email sath.volunteers@nhs.net or call the team on 01743 49 2256.
Earlier this week, Ron and Dianne Morgan, from the Dreamcatcher Children Charity, started off the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations with delivery of 36 goody bags to youngsters on Ward 19, a Children’s Ward at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital.
The children were thrilled to receive their jubilee bags, which included a souvenir jubilee book, colouring book, teddy and water bottle.
Thank you so much Ron and Dianne, who used to work on the ward, for making a difference.
As part of the celebrations, bunting adorns Captain Tom’s Courtyard and Garden and our hospital buildings will also be lit up with the Jubilee logo for the duration of the bank holiday.
As the Jubilee bank holidays and celebrations approach, I would like to remind you that we are still seeing an unprecedented demand for our services across the whole of the health and social care system in our county.
If you are thinking about attending A&E please consider whether our emergency department is the right place to go for the care you need. A&E is for genuinely life-threatening emergencies – for example chest pains or severe bleeding or burns. If you have a life-threatening illness or injury please continue to dial 999.
But if your condition is not life-threatening, please think of the different treatment options available and visit your local pharmacy or NHS 111 online which will advise you where to go for advice or treatment.
Full details of where to get medical help over the bank holiday weekend can be found on the website of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group.
I would also like to thank all of my colleagues from across the health and social care system who will be working over the jubilee bank holiday. Your dedication and commitment is hugely appreciated.
Thank you all for your support and hope you have time to enjoy the Jubilee celebrations.