We acknowledge that all our visitor’s accessibility needs are different but equally important. That’s why we were proud to support ROH with this amazing project which ultimately improves patient and visitor experience at the hospital.
We have supported the costs associated with working creating Detailed Access Guides to facilities, wards and departments across the hospital. This was done in collaboration with AccessAble, the UK’s leading provider of detailed disabled-access information.
The guides are 100 per cent facts, figures and photographs to help patients, visitors and staff plan their journeys to and around the hospital, covering everything from parking facilities and hearing loops, to walking distances and accessible toilets.
Dr Gregory Burke, Founder and Chairman of AccessAble, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to create vital accessibility information, prioritising the needs of disabled patients, visitors and staff. We want our guides to provide the information people need about accessibility, so they plan their visit and feel confident about what to expect.”
Jo Williams, Chief Executive at ROH, said: “We’re excited to be working with AccessAble because it’s incredibly important to us that we meet the needs of everyone who visits our hospital. We are ambitious about creating an environment that is as supportive, anticipatory and equitable as possible. The information and guides that AccessAble have developed will help our patients visit our Trust with confidence, knowing that their needs are important to us.”
Ali Gray. Charity Manager said: “I am thrilled that our charity has invested in this positive initiative that describes each patient’s journey and gives less abled visitors the information required to plan their visit around our site. The idea for installing this app/website information came from a colleague which makes it particularly poignant and moves us closer to being as inclusive as we can be for anyone entering our hospital”
The ROH Accessibility Guide will go-live on www.AccessAble.co.uk on Wednesday 28 April. It will also be available via the AccessAble app, which is free to download from the App Store and Google Play, giving you accessibility information at your fingertips during your hospital visit.
Visit the ‘Our Work’ section to find out more about the many ways we support patients, staff and visitors to The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
An NHS charity’s appeal to fundraise for a state-of-the-art patient entertainment system has been buoyed by a donation from a modular construction company.
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund, which supports staff, patients and volunteers at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (ROH), received a £600 donation from ModuleCo Healthcare (MCH).
The company designs and builds fully-fitted, high quality healthcare buildings, which are produced using state of the art modular construction techniques and delivered in a matter of weeks.
Representatives from MCH visited the hospital to hand over the donation, which will help support a new Patient Entertainment System that will be installed in the coming months. The system will be available at every patient’s bedside and will allow them to, among other things, communicate with loved ones, listen to music and stream films and TV.
MCH is a long-term supporter of The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, having finished construction of a new state-of-the-art ward, theatre and recovery suite in December 2020.
The company also previously sponsored the ‘Clinical Achievement Award’ at the hospital’s Staff Awards ceremony in February 2020 and attended the ceremony to help cheer staff on.
Ali Gray, Fundraising Manager at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund, said: “We cannot thank MCH enough for supporting our Christmas Appeal. It’s been a challenging 12 months at ROH and for every other NHS Trust in the country. We, along with other NHS charities, really do need support more than ever.
“This donation has meant that the charity has now raised close to £7,000 towards the patient entertainment system, which will be vital in supporting patients through their recover after surgery. Corporate partnerships are very positive in fundraising and I am excited to continue working with MCH for many years to come.”
This amount is the highest The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund has ever raised in a Christmas Appeal, despite the cancellation of key fundraising events due to COVID-19. The appeal was created to help support patients and staff over a very difficult Christmas period, as well as to support the implementation of the entertainment system.
The project has been also heavily supported by NHS Charities Together, who wanted to support the trust’s vision for exemplary patient entertainment whilst in hospital.
Alan Wilson, Managing Director at MCH, said: “We’ve worked closely with ROH for a number of years now and have established a fantastic relationship with the team during that time.
“When we heard about the fundraising effort for the new patient entertainment system, we were keen to get involved and do as much as we could to help get closer to the target.
“We work with NHS Trusts up and down the country, so we know how tough the last year has been with the limitations on people getting out to take on typical fundraising activities. We’re thrilled that our contribution has helped and it’s clear that this new piece of equipment will be another great way to improve the patient experience.”
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund relies heavily on donations from corporate partners and sponsors, especially as events, a key stream of revenue for the charity, were cancelled throughout 2020.
For more information on the charity, and how to donate, click here.
A group of key workers have set up a football team to raise vital funds for the charities supporting the NHS through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nightingale F.C was formed in April 2020, in the early stages of the national lockdown imposed by the government due to the spread of the coronavirus.
The team was formed to raise money for NHS Charities Together, which supports more than 240 NHS charities across the UK and focuses on helping hospitals do more, and raise awareness of the difficult period the service is facing. The squad is made up of NHS and key workers, such as paramedics and teachers, to show the unity and togetherness that has been so important throughout the pandemic.
It has quickly become one of the fastest growing charity football teams in the UK online, having amassed thousands of followers across various social media platforms. The team has also been featured on local radio, podcasts and online media, and received endorsements from football manager Harry Redknapp and radio DJ Scott Mills.
The name comes from the NHS Nightingale hospitals built nationwide to support the large numbers of additional patients at the peak of the pandemic.
Its main sponsor is The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund, the charity which provides support to NHS patients, their families and carers, as well as specialist training, equipment and knowledge to staff at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (ROH). They support the ‘added extras’ across the hospital to enhance patient and staff experience. An example being their upcoming appeal to support the development of a new tailored environment for children and young patients at the Trust, which involves sensory equipment, waiting room entertainment, a quiet reflection room and more.
Ali Gray, the charity’s Fundraising Manager, said: “Our charity has unsurprisingly fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic after a hugely challenging 12 months. It is however, important to have hope and continue to plan for the future and we are therefore delighted to sponsor this positive initiative in our local area.
“It is lovely that some of our colleagues are involved with the club and we all encourage the general public to support us if they can.
“Thank you to everyone who has and continues to support both NHS Charities Together and The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.”
If allowed, there will be fortnightly fixtures against national and local charities and ‘legends’ teams throughout 2021.
Nick Sanders, Manager of Nightingale F.C, said: “The NHS is a prime example of what can be achieved when people work together for a shared cause.
“There are no limits to what we can do collectively and the NHS teaches us and the next generation the importance of respect and how to solve problems effectively.
“We want Nightingale to be recognised as a beacon of hope through football built upon inclusiveness, equality and togetherness.”
There were over 25,000 views of the new shirt within the first 48 hours through the team’s Twitter page leading to shirt sales outside of the U.K. – a first for Sporty Bits UK, who created the kit. The kit was also victorious in a recent online ‘World Cup of Kits’ competition, winning out of 128 non-league or charity teams from the UK, USA and Europe.
The next steps for the team include partnerships with academies/soccer schools and initiatives and securing further funding and support for their cause, including strengthening its relationship with ROH.
You can find out more about Nightingale FC on Twitter and Facebook and the teams limited edition shirt is available to buy here.
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund are excited to announce that NHS Charities Together has received additional funds from Starbucks, meaning that we received £2,000 to support our ongoing response to the COVID-19 crisis.
This winter, NHS Charities Together joined forces with Starbucks, to help raise awareness of the amazing work being done by NHS charities and to highlight the many difficult challenges faced by staff, volunteers and patients, as the NHS cares for more patients due to COVID-19.
With partners (employees), coffee, and customers at Starbucks’ core, they are working closely to find new and ongoing ways to support their communities, including pairing up with individual NHS charities on the ground by connecting with their teams locally. The ambition is for those local teams to provide direct support in as many ways as they can, from local employee fundraising, to providing space, to increasing connections between their customers and their local NHS charity.
The ROH has been successful in applying for a further £33,000 from NHS Charities Together to support staff wellbeing as well as £2,100 from Starbucks (£35,100 in total).
It is hoped the funding will be used to, amongst other things, support a Staff Wellbeing Space in our Nurses Home, additional mental health support for staff and an outdoor space for staff members to utilise.
You can help support these initiatives by donating to The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund here.
A company that gave thousands to The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund have “saved Christmas”, according to its Fundraising Manager.
Genmeddonated £5,000 to The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund’s Christmas Appeal, an annual fundraising effort by the Northfield specialist NHS trust. The purpose of the appeal is to fund added extras for patients and staff over the Christmas period that the NHS cannot, such as gifts, bedside entertainment systems and support tools for patients, and training for staff.
Fundraising revenue for the charity is down £25,000 on the previous year, due mainly to cancellation of events. It has been buoyed however, by a portion of funds received from NHS Charities Together, which included money raised by Sir Captain Tom Moore in the summer.
Genmed’s generous donation allowed the Trust to decorate Christmas trees across the hospital site, including a mammoth tree at their main entrance, measuring approximately 60 feet!
Genmed helps clients to gain operational and financial efficiencies through managed services and supply chain excellence. They offer a complete range of procurement and supply chain activities including; spend data analytics, sourcing workplans, cost improvement programmes, inventory management and logistics solutions.
Genmed’s Chief Executive, Jonathan Wedgbury, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and to sponsor the Christmas lights this year. The lights are wonderful, and I hope they continue to bring joy to the hard-working teams at RoH, their patients and visitors, as they have done today.”
Ali Gray, Fundraising Manager at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Charitable Fund, said: “Thank you so much to Genmed for their generous donation of £5,000 to this year’s Christmas Appeal.
“After the most challenging year the NHS has ever faced, support for our charity is needed more than ever. We are incredibly grateful that their donation has allowed us to decorate our Christmas trees with beautiful lights to lift the spirits of our patients and staff.
“Genmed have saved Christmas!”
If you would like to donate to our Christmas appeal, click here.
In May 2020 Trustees agreed to invest in a wellbeing space for patients and families to utilise across the ROH outpatients department. Patients visit the Trust from across the UK with a range of different conditions and all need to be supported in different ways.
Staff have raised that often they have the difficult job of comforting distressed patients and their families after hearing bad news, often in a clinical and less empathetic space.
The Reflection Room, which is now open, is a space where those patients and their families can go in order to take the time they need to process their thoughts. The space will also be used to offer a safe space for those with safeguarding concerns away from their loved ones.
“The room is often used for patients who are in shock and/or very upset. It’s great we now have a calming and comfortable space to take them during this time”Helen Alldrick – Outpatients Ward Manager
The department received £3500 worth of investment from ROC to ensure the space felt comfortable to those who use it. The investment included:
Comfortable sofas and seating
Calming wall art piece to offer a distractions from the usual hospital environment
Sensory equipment for those who benefit from a distraction whilst utilising the space
This week we received a donation from young fundraiser Oliver Giles whose Grandad has been cared for by the ROH for many years. Oliver’s Grandad is supported by the Trust for Bone Cancer (Sarcoma); he has been an inpatient many times and also visits us regularly for outpatient appointments. Oliver, just 10 years old has seen first-hand the support ROH has given to help keep his Grandad mobile over the years and wanted to do something to say thank you.
Oliver and his father rode an incredible 60 miles across their home town in order to raise money for our cause. Its safe to say Oliver and David were both exhausted after but most definitely felt it was all worthwhile.
Derek and his wife Sandra who have been a long term supporters of the Trust, shared this story in order to hopefully inspire others to keep fundraising throughout this time.
The family decided to contribute these funds towards our new Patient Entertainment System which will enable patients to be video call loved ones. This is something Derek feels passionately about after saying himself in hospital many times and his family being so far away. We are hoping to have the system installed before Christmas, in order for patients to enjoy the service over the Christmas Holidays.
Last weekend Autumn, Voilet and Mum, Anna set up a fundraising stall outside their home in order to raise money for our charity.
Autumn is a spinal patient at ROH and recently received surgery for Scoliosis to correct two curves in her spine. She was visiting Mr Mehta’s clinic when Autumn spoke to us about how she was really happy with both how the surgery and check-up went and wanted to do something to say thank you.
Anna said “Autumn was very excited that she gained an extra 5cm after surgery meaning she no longer had to use a car seat!”
A pix and mix station was installed outside their home for their local community to enjoy. 10 large boxes of Haribos and lots of pennies later, an amazing £364.21 was raised.
We cannot thank Autumn, Violet and Anna enough for their support. They are not only known within the Trust for their fundraising initiatives, they are now known externally for raising the profile of The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, which is so important.
This week reports have been significantly better in terms of deaths within the UK. However, hospital admissions are still high and we mustn’t forget that. Staff members across the UK including those at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) are working tirelessly each day and night to keep our friends and family safe. The cleaners, porters, administrators, caterers and all those clinical workers are essential to tackling this virus and keeping the NHS wheel turning.
This week we have been sent amazing gifts to help give staff members that added boost they so deserve. We would like to say a huge thank you to those who have donated gifts this week and over the last weeks, they really do mean a lot!
Kelloggs, for donations lots of boxes of Special K to our staff members
Innocent Drinks, for donating their healthy smoothies to give them an added energy boost
Fundraisers,
This week ex staff member and local fundraiser Lisa Pim, delivered handmade care packs to our staff members filled with treats. Sandwiches, biscuits, cupcakes, fruit… you name it they received it. They were distributed across the trust and the response was incredible. Staff members were so thankful and excited to have a treat. We cannot thank Lisa and the team that supported her to build these packs enough. It really does help motivate our staff members!
We would like to say a huge thank you to Brett Ellis staff member and fundraiser within ROH. Brett is an active fundraiser and is always trying new ways to support our charity. Since the start of lockdown Brett has continued to source gifts for the trust. This has resulted in gifts of thousands of chocolate bars, chewing gum and much more. Its so admirable to see that NHS staff are actively supporting their organisations too, Brett is just one of the many staff members at ROH who are fundraising whilst working.
Yet again Critical Care Sister Natalie Jackson continues to work long stressful shifts as well as organise donations for staff members at ROH. Natalie is one of the many staff members at the ROH tending to the needs of both suspected and confirmed COVID patients. She uses this as a motivator to keep the donations flowing. Her experience means that she can empathise with how hard it is to be on the frontline, all she wants to do is help make NHS staff smile again.
Read all about our other NHS fundraising heroes in our previous blog post!
Everyone at the The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital has been going over and above, in their work, in patient care, in the extra hours they are giving, in the compassion they are showing for others and in how they are helping the hospital manage during this difficult period. Everyone deserves recognition for their contribution and we want to thank all the staff members working hard throughout the trust..
We would also like to shine a light on all those staff members who have supported us, while continuing with their day job! Between them, they have raised an incredible £6,000 which has supported staff and patients. These are amazing acts of kindness! I’m sure you’ll join us in saying a huge thank you to them.
Brett Ellis
Brett, Medical Education Manager, has a long history of supporting our charity by running and taking part in fundraising events. Since lockdown, Brett has gone out of his way to provide freebies to our organisation through a portal called GemsAtWork. This has resulted in protein shakes, chewing gum, protein bars, Galaxy chocolate and more. These has all been distributed across the organisation, in order to help you have the added boost you all need.
Olivia O’Connell
Olivia, newly qualified staff nurse went out of her way to produce care packages for our patients who are struggling to get their daily supplies. Olivia set up her own GoFundMe page and proceeded to raise over £1400 for her cause, which resulted in over 230 care packages distributed to patients across the organisation.
“my mom has been given one of our packages, thank you so much, she thought it was lovely and has helped her at what has been a really difficult time – you are an angel” Patients mother,
Olivia’s support has provided extra support to patients across the organisation in a really special way. It has meant so much to many patients especially as many of them have been unable to see their loved ones for some time.
Natalie Jackson
Natalie, Critical Care Sister, has been fundraising for ROH staff support since April. Natalie set up a GoFundMe page after having a stressful day visiting COVID-19 positive patients. She saw the financial and mental stress her fellow workers are experiencing everyday.
“There are strict infection control and prevention guidelines in place which we have to adhere to once we have cared for a COVID 19 patient. We have to have a shower once that care has finished either at the end of the shift or before we attend another patient.”
Natalie raised over £1000 for the trust and continued to make up care packs for each area. These included washing facilities to ensure staff who had to shower regularily atleast had a nice product to use, hand creams to help support staff with very saw handed from all the washing and alcohol used as well as sweet goodies to give them that added boost.
Nearly two months on, Natalie still continues to add to these packages, sourcing and delivering new donations each week. We cannot thank her enough for her support, it has meant that many staff within the organisation have left a shift feeling slightly more boosted than they would have otherwise and that really does mean a lot.
Gemma Caton
Gemma, administrator for the Infection Control Team decided to build her own fundraiser to support the organisation. As a fully qualified make up artist, she wanted to use her skills and facebook followers to give something back to ROH.
“I want to help give something back to ROH staff by raising as much as I can to say thank you and make some smiles as they have been working day and night to help those who are still in need of medical care in this time but some have also caught this horrible virus too.”
Gemma organised a Facebook Live make up session with her first ever rainbow look and raised over £120 towards our cause. We cannot thank Gemma enough for going out of her way to support us, and for recognising the hard work of all the staff members throughout the organisation.
Trudy Leach
Trudy, housekeeper and avid fundraiser has been going out of her way to ensure staff within the organisation we getting all the gifts and donation they deserve.
Trudy has been organising donations from her local community and supporting Natalie’s appeal to support staff within the organisation. Thanks to her help, we have received over 30 tubes of The Body Shop hand cream, over 80 packets of biscuits, even more toiletries and lots of chocolate. All an amazing pick me up for the staff supporting this outbreak.
Again, we cannot express out thanks enough to Trudy, who like all our fundraiser are still working within the hospital throughout this pandemic.
Mr Deshmukh
Mr Deshmukh, took it upon himself to build his own fundraiser, supporting the @NHSCharitiesTogether COVID-19 appeal. Mr Deshmukh managed to raise over £1,455.00 including gift aid. Absolutely incredible.
The NHS Charities Together COVID-19 appeal is incredibly important to all us NHS Charities. It means we are able to further support staff and patients through this complex time. The appeal has meant we have been able to support patients and staff in a way we couldn’t have before. We have given care packs to staff filled with goodies, as well as purchased new sensory items for patients as well as ipads for those who desperately want to videocall their loved ones.
We are so thankful to Mr Deshmukh for helping to support and advertise this truly life changing appeal.
If you know someone within the organisation going above and beyond to support staff and patients. Email roh.charitablefunds@nhs.net we’d love to know how they are helping and make sure they get the recognition they deserve.
