Ludlow Hospital praised by High Sheriff
The High Sheriff of Shropshire has praised a hospital league of friends for investing more than £600,000 in equipment in the past 12 years and the staff who put it to good use.
Rhoderick Swire spend yesterday afternoon at Ludlow Hospital to see for himself how patients can be treated close to home.
The money raised by the league of friends has been spent on beds and bedside lockers, £600,000 in equipment, a relatives room, a renal dialysis facility for 10 patients each day, ophthalmic diagnostic and treatment equipment, ultrasound scanning, heart
monitoring equipment, physiotherapy diagnostic and exercise facilities, equipment for audiology testing and even a play centre for young patients attending the Minor Injuries Unit.
One of the biggest purchases has been the £152,000, x-ray unit which is providing an enhanced service to local GP referrals as well as consultant-led outpatient clinics.
League of friends chairman, Mr Peter Corfield, said Mr Swire was most interested in the My Memory system that helpspatients with learning
difficulties, memory loss or dementia.
"He was quite surprised to see the level of investment that the league of friends has made and praised not only the fundraising but the way that the staff use that equipment to provide the very best patient comfort."
Mr Corfield said the league of friends had a vision of providing as much care as close to home as possible.
“We are particularly anxious to develop a close working relationship with the various NHS Trusts in Shropshire. The new x-ray and
“My Memory” systems are prime examples of what can be achieved by working together to reduce the stress for our ageing population having to travel long distances for simple tests that can be provided locally.
“The more care that can be given closer to home the better it is for patients and will, inevitably, reduce the pressures on the larger hospitals and A&E departments in Shrewsbury, Telford and Hereford. We are prepared to invest in new technology, such a tele-health, even on a trial basis and are anxious for decisions on the future of healthcare to be made and made quickly”.
