Today, Wednesday 5 July – the same day as the NHS 75th Birthday, QEH’s League of Friends celebrates its Platinum Anniversary and continues to support the hospital as much as ever.
In 1953, just five years after the NHS was founded, the League of Friends charity was created to support the then five hospitals in West Norfolk, which included West Norfolk and King’s Lynn General Hospital, St James Hospital, Wisbech Hospital, Hardwick Infection Centre, and Stow Hall Convalescent Home.
Chair of the League of Friends, and former nurse Penny Hipkin, said: “There was a great desire for the general public to support their local hospitals, and a huge number of associations who wished to support and provide extras for patients”.
Today, in a small celebration, we were honoured to welcome President of the League of Friends Valeria Viscountess Coke to formally unveil the 70th anniversary mural outside the shop which showcases some of the fantastic work the charity has done for QEH.
In her speech Lady Coke said: “I have the great pleasure today in formally unveiling this display which I am proud to say shows the difference the League of Friends makes to patients here at QEH.”
During the League’s 70 years more than £3 million has been donated to the hospital to improve both services and patient experience.
Most significantly the charity has donated £400,000 for the hospital’s radiology information system and has recently spent £141,000 on equipment for the hospital. It also donated £10,000 to the maternity bereavement fund, £9,645 for nebulisers for critical care outreach, £9,500 for outdoor-use wheelchairs and £50,404 for two ultrasound machines.
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For further information, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216.
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