A DALE community hospital is moving forward, according to a support group who have reflected on the past year.
The Friends of Richardson Hospital saw an increase in donations and fundraising during 2017.
Speaking at the committee’s annual meeting, member Marie Yarker said: “We really are moving forward with the hospital. Joe public is getting far more involved than it was before.”
The charity’s expenditure for the year totalled £14,845 which was down £8,629 compared to 2016 but a total of £7,633 was still invested in staff training and equipment.
Specialist training on Parkinson’s disease and occupational therapy, costing £2,451, was given to staff. The group also spent £1,401 hosting first aid courses.
Ms Yarker, said: “It is nice to see that we are still using money for staff training. I hope that continues because it is so important.”
Meanwhile, £3,456 was spent on new equipment for the hospital ward, clinics and services.
New air purifiers for the ward were the largest purchase at £2,883.
Honorary secretary Iris Hillery said: “Last year one of the big expenses was Odoxan air purifiers which have been very well received. They keep infection and odour down. There is no smell whatsoever.”
Ms Yarker added: “It seems to be a good system.”
A request for the friends to pay for the servicing of the 12 units was made at the recent committee meeting. Members agreed to pay £1,246 for this.
Other purchases throughout the year included headphones, toiletry packs, aromatherapy oils and Ramblegard mats.
Outside of its work with the hospital, the friends have continued to purchase loan equipment, which is managed by Teesdale Disability Access Forum, in Market Place.
First aid kits along with a defibrillator, were bought for Barnard Castle Rugby Club and 20 people benefitted from first aid courses funded by the friends at the Guide headquarters, in Birch Road. A £3,000 contribution was made to help keep a town-based patient transport scheme running a little longer.
The friends also bought a £6,500 Verathon bladder scanner for the district nursing team.
While expenditure was less than anticipated for the year, fundraising efforts brought in £2,324 which was £600 up on the previous year.
Donations totalled £2,892 which was £1,200 more than in 2016. The group also received a legacy of £6,277.
During the recent committee meeting, the friends approved further requests for help from within the hospital.
These included funding insulin training for eight healthcare assistants, Therabands, ankle weights, an anatomical life-size model pelvis, a treadmill, an exercise bike, a canteen teapot and a three-tier catering trolley for serving hot drinks on Starling ward.
Ms Yarker added: “The clinics are moving forward.
“We have also had enquiries about using these meeting rooms. Joe public is beginning to realise that we have a lot to offer.
“They are beginning to use rooms because the prices are reasonable.
“Hopefully in the next year, this will become a very active hospital.
“It is all going to be used eventually. It is moving forward definitely.”
