01 Jun 2007 Attention all BOOK WORMS! The sale of books from the trolley outside the office continues to be a great money raiser. Books are always urgently needed for re-sale in the Coffee Shop. If you have any books, (in good condition please) which you would be willing to donate, the League would be extremely grateful to receive them. We have now extended this to include videos, DVDs and complete jigsaws. 01 Jun 2007 Open Gardens Eileen McHugh (who helps to maintain the hospital quadrangles), has recently been invited to open her garden to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme. Her garden, along with 12 others in Alvechurch, will be open to the public on Sunday 10th June and again on Sunday 1st July. 01 Jun 2007 Flower Urns The large glazed flower urns at the front hospital entrance have now been planted by Eileen McHugh and Maurice Powell. They have kindly agreed to maintain them along with the hospital quadrangles. The urns have blossomed since planting and enhance the entrance to the hospital. 01 Jun 2007 Snowdrops Thank you to everyone who donated snowdrops to be planted in the Children's Memorial Garden. Colin Kershaw assures us they will give a lovely display next year for everyone to enjoy. 13 Mar 2006 Education centre The basic building has new been erected and arrangements are being made for the fitting out of the inside of the buiding. It is still expected that completion will be later in the year. The League has already raised the money needed for the purchase of the "Sim-Man". 13 Mar 2006 The Redditch Orthopaedic Centre This newly built centre became operational in January this year and is located on the ground floor of the hospital opposite the pharmacy. All Orthopaedic Clinics now take place in this specially equipped unit. There are 12 individual consulting rooms plus a Pre-assessment clinic area. It has its own reception desk and waiting areas. At present there are 9 Orthopaedic Consultants at the hospital and there is a Rheumatology Comsultant attached to the trust. The centre includes the old fracture clinic and a new plaster room. It has its own X-Ray section and can use the new PACS system with digital X-Rays. The centre can also carry out its own blood tests. There is also an Orthotics section for the provision of special items like limb supports, special boots etc. The League of Friends have provided a Flat screen television and DVD player to go into the patient information room. 13 Mar 2006 Memorial Garden for babies This garden was recently re-furbished in a joint project between the League of Friends, CSV Action Desk and BBC Hereford and Worcester. The League is grateful for the help and donation of plants and equipment from local garden centres. The League of Friends is also delighted that Volunteers from the White Hart Garden Club will now maintain this garden in pristine condition. The Rev Mas Shepard, the recently appointed Hospital Chaplaincy Team leader officiated at a Service of re-dedication for this memorial garden on Sat 21st Jan 2006. 28 Aug 2005 The Sim Man Simulator With the building of the new Education Centre comes a requirement for training equipment and the League has decided to give some assistance in this project. The main item the League has agreed to purchase, at a cost of about £24,000.00 is a "Sim Man" simulator. This is an amazing piece of equipment for training. It is a full size mannequin that can be computer programmed to simulate many clinical conditions that are faced by hospital medical teams. It has been hailed as the medical equivalent to the flight simulator used by airlines to train their pilots where they can crash their planes but only damage the pilot's pride! Similarly "Sim Man" may "die", but the lessons to be learnt by the clinical teams will be invaluable in practical situations involving real patients. There are obvious advantages to this system. 1. There is no risk to the patient. 2. Many scenarios can be presented, including uncommon but critical situations in which a rapid response is needed. 3. Participants can see the results of their decisions and actions. 4. Errors can be allowed to occur and reach their conclusions. 5. With mannequin based simulators clinicians can use actual medical equipment. Obviously this piece of equipment is going to be a great help in the training of all medical staff. If you would like to make a donation towards the cost of this piece of equipment please contact our office on 01527 512009 28 Aug 2005 Home Collection Boxes In the last financial year over £500 has been donated through these boxes and we would like to thank those people who have collected money for us this way. They are small reusable cardboard boxes in which you can put loose change that can be collected and donated to the League. If you would like a box for home or work please contact our office on 01527 512009 24 May 2005 Car Park Wheelchairs The Wheelchairs installed under cover in the disabled car park are now in operation. This allows physically disabled patients to be transported direct from there into the hospital.