Businesses and charities have supported a major £75,000 makeover which will enable thousands more children to be treated at Harrogate District Hospital’s Paediatric Outpatient Department.
Two new consulting rooms will enable the department, over time, to increase the 9,000 patients it currently treats to 15,000. Infants and children up to 16 will also benefit from additional specialist nurse clinics and a more welcoming, interactive and child-friendly waiting area.
The refurbishment has been driven by Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity, which raises funds to enhance all departments and community services at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.
Companies and charities key to the £75,000 renovation are Variety the Children’s Charity, The Rainbow Fund, The League of Friends for Ripon Hospital and The Friends of Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity, The White Stuff Foundation. Businesses include Synergy Automotive, Altro, StudioOne, along with local retail and individual donors.
Jennifer Kemp, Paediatrics Department Manager, said:
We have been thrilled that such a varied mix of people have chosen to support us and enabled us to directly support many more children than we could otherwise have done and that’s what’s so important. For some children it means they no longer need to travel to Leeds. A special mention goes to The Rainbow Fund who launched the project and engaged so many local people, companies and our wider community.
Wide-ranging benefits for patients also include a new specialist nurse who can treat epilepsy sufferers who currently have to travel to Leeds. Additional services span a Special Care Baby Unit follow-up clinic, an additional diabetes clinic and an Ophthalmology provision for children with special needs.
Dr Ros Tolcher, Chief Executive at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:
I am delighted that the overwhelming generosity of local businesses and local people has enabled us to transform our Children’s Outpatient Department here at Harrogate District Hospital. It is such a welcoming, modern environment that we’re all really proud of and will help us continue to provide high quality patient care.
New equipment encompasses a pioneering exhaled nitrous oxide machine provided by Synergy Automotive’s fundraising drive. The department is the only one of its kind in the country to take stock of the machine which measures levels of inflammation of the airways in asthmatic children and determines treatment plans which can be life-changing.
Synergy MD, Paul Parkinson, said:
As The Rainbow Fund’s corporate partner, it’s been an honour to be introduced to, and be involved with, the refurbishment which will further enhance the quality of care and enable more patients to be treated by the department’s dedicated team.
Regional Development Director of Variety the Children’s Charity’s, Charlotte Farrington, commented:
Variety the Children’s Charity’s built this department in 1993 and we are delighted to have played a key part in its refurbishment. I would like to thank everyone for their generous donations, in particular, those who attended the Crystal Event in 2016.
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