A GROUP of volunteers have raised £140,000 for new hospital beds at Crosshouse Hospital, along with other vital items.

More than 70 brand new beds are being delivered to the hospital and will be used to replace ageing beds in the facility, with the specialist hospital beds costing approximately £950 each.

The University Hospital Crosshouse Volunteers have also agreed to purchase new specialist mattresses for use in the acute stroke ward, four new trolleys for the Emergency Department and six bed chairs which will be used in the Acute Receiving Unit.

These will provide a high level of comfort to the patient while staff assess their needs without the patient having to go into a hospital bed. These bed chairs will transfer to the new Combined Assessment Unit when it opens early in 2016.

Jean Hendry, Assistant Director for Acute Services at University Hospital Crosshouse, said: “We are extremely grateful to our volunteers for agreeing to this funding. It will help improve our patients’ experience while they are in hospital by providing new, comfortable beds.

“Our volunteers work hard every day in our hospital, year in and year out. They are often the first face many people see when they visit our hospital as they run our hospital shop and cafe. I would thank to thank them all for their tremendous work and for their extremely generous donation.”

Sandra Mabon, Project Manager for University Hospital Crosshouse Volunteers, believes it is important to ensure that patients visiting hospital have as comfortable a stay as possible.

She said: “All the profits that are raised from our work in the hospital shop, cafe and trolley service are donated back into the hospital to then benefit all patients. This is only possible because all our Volunteers give their time freely.

“While no-one enjoys being in hospital, we believe the purchase of these new beds and mattresses will go a little way in helping to make the patients’ stay in hospital that bit better.”

For more information on how to become a volunteer, call Sandra Mabon, Project Manager, for a friendly chat on 01563 577311.