ELHT&Me, the official charity of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT), has launched a ground breaking £1 Million Appeal and is encouraging local businesses, institutions and individuals to support its work to improve the patient experience at its five hospitals.
As the NHS celebrates its 70th birthday this year, the £1 Million Appeal aims to raise funds to invest in new equipment, improve facilities and enhance the patient environment at ELHT’s two acute (Royal Blackburn and Burnley General) and three community hospitals (Accrington Victoria, Clitheroe and Pendle).
Stephen Barnes, Non-Executive Director and Chair of the £1 Million Appeal, said: “We believe that each of the 700,000 patients we treat each year should have an experience that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations.
“Over the years, the people and businesses of East Lancashire have shown how much they value their local hospitals with countless examples of donations enabling much-needed improvements.
“Now, by supporting our £1 Million Appeal, everyone in East Lancashire can help provide even better treatment, care and facilities that our patients deserve.”
ELHT’s £1 Million Appeal is raising much-needed funds to make improvements in seven carefully selected areas:
- Children and babies health
- Supporting cancer patients
- Improving equipment
- Women’s health
- Men’s health
- Making patient areas more friendly, and
- Improving the patient experience.
In particular, the £1 Million Appeal will focus on improvements that are ‘over and above’ normal NHS provision - things such as specialised medical equipment and better patient facilities.
Among the first to support the £1 Million Appeal is the East Lancashire Masonic Charity who donated £4,650 to provide video conferencing technology to assist young people with mental health needs to rapidly access professional support, regardless of their location.
David Lightbown, Chairman of the East Lancashire Masonic Charity Committee, said: “The East Lancashire Masonic Charity is privileged to be one of the first donors to the ELHT&Me £1 Million Appeal, which will undoubtedly enhance support and quality of care for patients across our region.”
Arif Patel, Medical Equipment Manager at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“Supporting the £1 Million Appeal means the Trust can provide more of the vital medical equipment our doctors and nurses rely on.
“For example, equipment such as defibrillators which are used in areas such as operating theatres, intensive care and high dependency units to revive patients in an emergency after a cardiac arrest.”
East Lancashire Hospitals’ staff are grateful for the many charitable donations received down the years and hopeful the £1 Million Appeal will result in improvements to the hospital environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Children’s Matron Tina Webb, said: I am extremely proud to have worked for East Lancashire Hospitals Trust for over 33 years and feel privileged to work with such dedicated, caring and hardworking staff delivering the best possible care to our patients and families.”
“With the support of our local community, a successful £1 Million Appeal means we can invest in much-needed extras, above and beyond what is funded by the NHS to further enhance the experience for all our patients’
Individuals and companies keen to support the £1 Million Appeal can hold their own fundraising event, go to the ELHT&Me donation page at www.elht.nhs.uk/elht-and-me or call the charity team on 01254 732140 to make a donation.
ELHT&Me Fundraising Manager, Denise Gee, said: “We encourage people to show support for their local hospitals and help reach the £1 Million Appeal in whatever way possible. A small donation, a school or office dress-down day, a collection amongst friends or a sponsored run will do so much.”