The Friends of Yeovil Hospital raised nearly £800 towards training for nurses to support patients with dementia at the annual Chris Parker quiz.
Held at Yeovil College, the top scoring three teams were all from the hospital. The winners were the Kingston Wing’s ‘Simple Minds’ (Hannah Hosking, Anne Bishop, Donna Hayward and Paul Porter); followed by the Management Team, ‘Thundering Herd’ and, in third place, the medical team ‘Mushy Peas’.
Twenty-two teams took part, representing various groups including the Yeovil Progressive Science Lodge; Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Association (SSAFA); Soroptomists International, Yeovil Inner Wheel, independent groups and village teams.
This year the quiz raised money towards the cost of sending 15 nurses on a two-day specialised training course for dementia – one of the Trust’s key priorities. All acute hospitals should be addressing the national dementia strategy, but Yeovil is fairly unique in the bringing the course to the hospital enabling more staff to be trained.
Chairman of The Friends, Anne Bennett, said:
“The Friends always enjoy their fund-raising activities and we take our responsibilities very seriously. This year we had many more teams wanting to compete. Local people seem to be increasingly interested in how their donations are spent and seem to feel the Friends do a good job. Since September 2009, The Friends have disbursed £74,000 for equipment and services for Yeovil District Hospital. In addition there is a large legacy specifically for the Oncology Unit.”
Meanwhile volunteers are currently being recruited for The Friends Hospital Shop and trolley service the profits of which are donated to the hospital for much-needed equipment and other amenities which directly benefit patients.
Anyone who would like more information about the work of The Friends of Yeovil Hospital or who would like to become a volunteer in the Hospital Shop should contact Anne Bennett on 01935 823271 or Mary Brunker on 01458 241130.
Media contacts: Communications Officer, Amy Mercer 01935 384233
Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust