Date: 4th June 2026

At the beginning of 2026, £11,000 of charitable donations was invested to enhance the recovery journey of patients on Ward 3 (Bone Cancer Ward). Through this funding, seven brand-new self-propelled wheelchairs, each fitted with specialist cushions, were introduced to support inpatient care, particularly for oncology patients undergoing life-changing treatments.

This investment has already made a meaningful difference, both clinically and personally, for patients and staff alike.

For the Occupational Therapy (OT) team, access to appropriate equipment is essential in delivering effective rehabilitation. The additional wheelchairs funded by ROC have enabled therapists to carry out more timely assessments, reducing delays caused by limited availability, and to provide structured mobility practice as part of patients’ recovery pathways.

Tracy Gilbert, Clinical Specialist Orthopaedic Oncology Occupational Therapist, reflected on the difference this has made:

“Limited wheelchair availability previously resulted in situations where patients were restricted to transferring only into standard ward chairs or relying on porters when wishing to leave the ward. This significantly impacts their independence post-surgery and increased dependence on staff/family when our goal as OT’s is to support and promote patient independence in their everyday activities. A wheelchair provision on our ward is invaluable for restoring patient independence, mobility and confidence.”

For many patients, particularly those recovering from oncology-related amputations, regaining independence can feel like an overwhelming challenge. The availability of wheelchairs has played a crucial role in restoring that independence.

“For patients, having access to a wheelchair is about so much more than mobility,” Tracy explained. “It’s about regaining control, dignity, and confidence after what is often a life-changing experience.”

By enabling patients to move more freely, the wheelchairs contribute to a more dignified and empowering patient journey.

While the benefits for patients are clear, the OT team at ROH also experienced a positive impact on service delivery. Access to appropriate equipment supports more efficient assessments, improved therapeutic interventions, and more effective discharge planning.

This investment by ROC highlights the powerful role that charitable funding can play in enhancing patient care. The provision of enhanced equipment has not only improved clinical outcomes but has also enriched the overall patient experience, supporting both physical rehabilitation and emotional wellbeing.

Ruth Hughes, Fundraising Manager, also shared her reflections:

“It’s been lovely to see patients, staff, and families using these wheelchairs across the site and to witness the impact first-hand. We’ve seen families enjoying lunch together in the courtyard, which is special to see.”

With continued support, ROC can help deliver more initiatives like this—providing essential equipment, enhancing rehabilitation, and restoring independence for patients when they need it most.

If you would like to support projects like this and make a difference to patients and their families, please consider donating or getting involved with ROC. Every contribution helps us continue to improve care, comfort, and outcomes across the hospital.

Date: 5th May 2026

On Monday 27 April, ROC were delighted to welcome Nigel Clemson, Andrew R. Armbrister and Eric Rymer from the Mark Benevolent Fund and the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masonsto showcase our Siemens Logiq Totus Ultrasound scanner, made possible through our successful grant application to the Mark Benevolent fund.

The visit provided an opportunity to see first-hand how this innovative equipment will enhance patient care across the Trust.

About the New Scanner

The new ultrasound scanner is a comprehensive, next‑generation solution designed to deliver high‑quality imaging alongside AI‑powered diagnostic support. It combines advanced technology with efficiency and ease of use, while remaining highly portable and suitable for use across multiple care settings.

How It Improves Patient Care

During the visit, guests were introduced to:

• Kirsty Walker, Deputy Head of Imaging
• Liz Loach, Head of Imaging
• Dr Hasaam Uldin, Radiologist

They explained the many benefits of the new scanner, including clearer, more detailed images, built‑in image storage, and excellent portability. This allows the device to be easily moved between departments, including wards, theatres, imaging suites, and even bedside use.

The scanner plays an important role in supporting biopsy procedures for patients with tumours. Images can be easily reviewed after samples are taken, which is particularly helpful if pathologists have any questions about sample viability. Radiologists can also refer to the images to confirm that samples were taken from the correct location, improving accuracy and confidence in diagnosis.

“This scanner sets a new standard for ultrasound and its use in interventional procedures within the hospital. The enhanced image quality will allow us to perform examinations and procedures with greater accuracy and confidence, directly benefiting both clinicians and patients.”—Dr Hasaam Uldin –  Consultant Radiologist

“NHS core funding is, quite understandably, focused on the most immediate clinical pressures, which meant this ultrasound scanner could not have been funded without charitable support. We are incredibly grateful to the Mark Benevolent Fund and the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons for enabling us to purchase this vital piece of equipment.” Ruth Hughes – Fundraising Manager

A Lasting Thank You

To recognise the generosity of the Mark Benevolent Fund, a commemorative plaque will be installed outside the X‑ray Department acknowledging their vital contribution.

We are incredibly grateful for this support, which will make a meaningful difference to both our patients and our clinical teams for years to come.

Date: 5th May 2026

A huge thank you to all our fundraisers who took part in running events over the last month.

Five incredible supporters took on a range of running challenges and together raised over £2,300 including Gift Aid—an outstanding achievement.

• Jack completed his first ever marathon through the streets of Stratford, finishing in under four hours. An amazing accomplishment for a keen runner who hopes to one day secure a London Marathon place.
• Issy took on the Dorney Lakes Half Marathon, finishing as the third female overall with an impressive time of 1:44:53. A fantastic performance—click here to read Issy’s story.
• Samantha, Nicola and William each tackled the Great Birmingham Run. Thankfully the weather behaved, and all three ran brilliantly. Together, they raised over £1,000 including Gift Aid for ROC, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Thank you to everyone who supported, fundraised, shared, or cheered on this wonderful group—you truly make a difference.

If you’re a keen runner and would like to take part in a running event near you in support of ROC, please email roc@nhs.net. We’d love to hear from you.

Date: 24th April 2025

Thanks to a generous £3,000 grant from The Birmingham District Nursing Charitable Trust, the Theatre Staff Break Area at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) has undergone a valuable transformation. The full grant has been utilised to purchase new, comfortable seating, creating a significantly more supportive environment for the staff who use the space every day.

Why This Project Mattered

The theatre team at ROH delivers highly specialised orthopaedic care, supporting more than 13,000 patients each year and managing complex surgical lists across orthopaedic oncology, spinal surgery, joint replacement, upper limb, sports injury, hand surgery and more. With over 100 theatre staff using the break area daily — including nurses, ODPs, surgeons, consultants, registrars, fellows, and medical students — the environment plays a crucial role in staff wellbeing.

Before the refurbishment, the space was no longer fit for purpose. Staff reported:

• Uncomfortable, hard plastic seating
• Mismatched, second-hand furniture
• Limited capacity during peak break times
• An environment not conducive to rest or decompression

The strain was particularly evident between 12–2pm, when up to 50 staff required the space for their legally mandated breaks, with many often waiting for a seat or delaying rest altogether.

What the Funding Delivered

The £3,000 grant was fully invested in:

• Four new comfortable sofas for restorative rest
• 3 coffee tables for additional space for drinks and food.
• Three dining table and chair sets to improve seating capacity and comfort

These upgrades have:

• Created a more welcoming and functional space
• Provided ergonomic, modern furniture for staff on long, demanding shifts
• Supported staff wellbeing and enhanced morale
• Helped ensure staff can take breaks in a space designed for genuine rest

“Thanks to the generosity of The Birmingham District Nursing Charitable Trust, we have been able to significantly improve the theatre staff break area. Enhancing wellbeing, directly contributes to the quality-of-care teams deliver, and this grant has made a meaningful difference to the environment they rely on throughout long, demanding shifts.” – Fundraising Manager 

This refurbishment also forms an early phase of a larger, planned transformation of the Theatre Staff Area, scheduled for 2026/27 — a project closely aligned with ROC’s strategic priority of Supporting Staff.

Date: 25th March 2026

Yesterday, Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC) was delighted to host its Eid Celebration at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital — a vibrant and joyful event enjoyed by staff, patients, families, and visitors alike. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who took part, the celebration raised over £480.00 for ROC’s Oncology Appeal, supporting enhanced comfort and care for patients on the hospital’s cancer ward.

ROC would like to thank to all who attended, purchased treats, or stopped by to show their support. The atmosphere was filled with community spirit, making the celebration a wonderful success.

A special thankyou goes to Volunteers, Dave and Caroline, whose help and dedication ensured the event ran smoothly from start to finish.

A special shout‑out goes out to Dhesi Sweet Centre Ltd for generously sponsoring the celebration. This meant that more profit was made for this meaningful appeal.

To donate or fundraise for this appeal, visit www.rohcharity.org/oncology-appeal or email roc@nhs.net, we’d love to hear from you.

Date: 19th March 2026

The Little Activity Hub is a new, comforting space created to support children and young people (CYP) during their time at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital. Fully funded by ROC Charity, the hub offers a dedicated area where young patients can explore creativity, enjoy positive distractions, and take part in calming, age‑appropriate activities.

Date: 25th February 2026

If you’re a current or former hydrotherapy patient, or a relative/carer of one of these individuals, we’d really like to hear from you.

We’re reviewing the future of The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital’s Hydrotherapy service, and your first‑hand experience is vital in helping us understand its impact and how it should develop.

Your feedback will help us assess how the service is used, what benefits you’ve experienced, and what matters most to you.

It Only Takes a Few Minutes

Your insight will directly influence decisions about the service.

Date: 6th January 2026

We are thrilled to announce that our Christmas Appeal 2025 has been an incredible success, raising just under £12,000!

This is 74% higher than our previous highest festive campaign total, and it’s all thanks to the generosity and support of our wonderful community.

This year’s appeal focused on something close to our hearts – renovating five side rooms within the cancer ward at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. These rooms are vital spaces for patients undergoing treatment, and we want them to feel as comfortable and homely as possible during their recovery.

Each room costs £9,500 to renovate and includes:

• Home-like mood lighting for a calming atmosphere
• Comfortable seating for patients and visitors
• Interactive Ceiling tiles designed for those who have undergone complex surgery and are unable to sit up for an extended period of time.
• Beautiful wall art to create a welcoming environment
  …and more features that make a real difference to patient wellbeing.

How We Did It

Our success was made possible through a series of festive initiatives:

• Sponsor a Light Campaign – Individuals and businesses came together to light up the hospital and community while raising vital funds.
• Christmas Card Sales – Available online and in the hospital, with our amazing volunteers spreading cheer on the wards.
• Festive Dress Day – Supporters donned their favourite festive outfits and donated £1 in aid of ROC.

Date: 22nd December 2025

At Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC), we are proud to support projects that enhance the experience of both patients and staff at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH). One of ROC’s latest investments of £4,500 has helped transform the Oncology Unit’s MDT room into a space that reflects the incredible work carried out by the team.

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital is the leading centre for orthopaedic oncology in the world, with a team that specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant tumours of bone and soft tissues.

Last year, the Oncology Unit underwent a major refurbishment to improve the working environment for staff. While the upgraded offices have been warmly received, the MDT room—a key hub for discussing complex cases—still felt clinical and sparse.

This observation was highlighted by the family of a patient who had sadly passed away from sarcoma. During a visit to the new Oncology offices, they expressed gratitude for the care their loved one received and noted how bland the MDT room felt, suggesting that it could better reflect the outstanding expertise and global reach of the tumour service.

“The service is world renowned, clinicians and trainees come to us from all over the world to learn new skills to take away with them, we needed a way to celebrate that and share these successes throughout the year” Scott Evans –Consultant Orthopaedic & MSK Oncology Surgeon.

Bringing the MDT Room to Life

With ROC’s support, the MDT room has now been enhanced with:

• A magnetic world map – This interactive map allows staff to display photos and information about visitors from around the world. It serves as a guide to showcase clinicians and trainees who have visited ROH for specialist oncology training and then returned to their own clinical settings to transfer those skills, highlighting the global impact of the unit’s expertise.

• ROH and Sarcoma Service branding – New wall graphics celebrate the identity of the service, creating a sense of pride and belonging.

A Lasting Impact

This project is about more than aesthetics—it’s a tribute the dedicated staff within the oncology team who make a real difference every day. By supporting this initiative, ROC has helped create a space that inspires, uplifts, and celebrates the remarkable work of the Oncology Unit, while also showcasing its international influence in specialist training.

ROC are delighted to have played a part in this meaningful transformation and thank everyone involved for helping make it possible.

Date: 15th December 2025

We are delighted to shine a spotlight once again on Kennedy’s Law, a valued local business and long-standing supporter of our Children and Young People’s Appeal. This Christmas, the team went above and beyond to make the festive season brighter for young patients and the staff who care for them.

Kennedy’s Law generously delivered:

• 32 festive selection packs
• 12 sweet bags and tubes
• A large box of chocolates for our staff

These thoughtful treats will be shared across the Children and Young People’s Outpatients Department throughout the Christmas period, bringing moments of joy to families who may be feeling anxious during hospital visits.

Their continued support means so much to the team, and even more to the young patients who benefit from these small but meaningful gestures.

This isn’t the first time Kennedy’s Law has stepped forward to make a difference. Earlier this year, they donated Easter eggs. They also kindly match-funded the cost of the eggs, boosting the impact of their generosity and helping us further enhance the experience of children and young people at ROH.

For many families, a hospital appointment can feel overwhelming. Donations like these help turn a difficult day into a better one—adding comfort, excitement and a well-deserved smile.

We are truly grateful for Kennedy’s Law’s continued kindness, community spirit and commitment to supporting young patients at ROH. Their generosity embodies the very best of the festive season.

Thank you, Kennedy’s Law – your support makes a real difference.