Voluntary Services

1. VS Voluntary Services Meet Ruth … follow her journey as a patient… Discover how many Volunteers help and support her along the way ! Page 1 of 9 - Click for next Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer

2. She enquires about her clinic at the Information Desk ... Ruth arrives at the hospital for her appointment ... Hi , I’m Ruth, I’ve been having trouble with my hip for a while now! It’s very painful to walk, and my doctor has sent me to see the Consultant again … I wonder where I should go …. Good morning, how can I help? You are seeing the Orthopaedic Consultant? Let me give you some directions, it’s not too far to go …… just through those doors and report to Reception B …. The Consultant advises Ruth that she now needs to have a hip replacement as soon as possible ... so a few weeks later she arrives for her pre-op assessment …. At the Information Desk another welcome awaits ... I’m a bit nervous as the big day is getting nearer ! I don’t know how to find the Pre-Admission Unit but I know the volunteers on the Information Desk will tell me which way to go … they’re always so helpful and friendly … Hello …. how can I help? Pre-Admission Unit – yes of course. It is a little walk, so can you manage or would you like a wheelchair? I can call a porter or take you myself … VS VS VOLUNTEER Main Reception VOLUNTEER Main Reception Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway …….. Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway ……..

3. Ruth is escorted to Radiology by a Pre-Admission Unit Volunteer ... In Pre-Admission the nurse arranges for Ruth to go to Radiology for an X-ray ... This is good, getting all my tests done now to save time in hospital. The nurse said their volunteer would come with me to X-ray. That’s so helpful … Hello, I‘ll show you the way to X-ray, and as you are on your own, I can keep you company if you like …. Ruth has completed all her checks and forms now and is ready for her operation …. A few weeks later she arrives at the hospital … Yes - you guessed! The Friends’ Shop in the foyer is manned by Volunteers! ... It’s the big day today, and I’m very nervous about the operation! The volunteers at the Information Desk told me where my ward is and the staff are expecting me. I’m a little early so I’ll just pop into the Friends Shop … Hello, what would you like … a packet of tissues? There you are, thank you. Did you know ... all the money we raise goes to the hospital, so they can buy extra equipment for our patients ... Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway …….. VS VS VOLUNTEER Pre-Admission Unit VOLUNTEER Friends of WSH Shop & Trolley Service Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway ……..

4. An Orthopaedic Ward Volunteer is helping the nurses clean and make the beds ... Ruth is now on the ward waiting to go to theatre for her operation ... Hello, I’m a Ward Volunteer … when I have finished making this bed, I’ll come back and we can have a chat while you wait for your operation time …. Well I’m ready now for my operation, but the waiting is the most difficult bit … Ruth is now back on the ward after her operation and recovering from the anaesthetic … The evening Ward Volunteer says she will ask the Nurse in Charge ... Oooh, I still feel a bit groggy, but I am very thirsty and a bit hungry … I wonder when I can have something to drink or eat … … and I’ll also bring you a menu card so you can choose what you would like to eat tomorrow ! VS VOLUNTEER Ward F4 Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway …….. VS VOLUNTEER Ward F4 Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway ……..

5. During the day Ruth meets more Volunteers ... A Patient Library trolley arrives on the ward … The next day Ruth is feeling much better already ... Well I am a bit sore but it’s amazing that I am on my feet so soon, … the Physio is really pleased with me and says I could be going home tomorrow! Hi, would you like a book to read? We also have talking books and stereos to loan if you prefer to listen or maybe if you’re not here for long I can give you one of our donated magazines …. And she has a conversation with a Volunteer from the Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care Team who tells her that volunteers take patients in wheelchairs to the Sunday Service ... She also meets the Friends Trolley Volunteers and has been using one of the orthopaedic chairs donated by the Friends from money they raise for the hospital … … we ask patients who may be interested if they would like to come along to the Chapel on Sunday, but as you’ll be home by then perhaps you would just like me to stay for a chat? … … hello, is there anything you would like from the Trolley, or if there is something we haven’t got here we’d be happy to go and see if they have it in our shop in the foyer … VS VOLUNTEER Patients Library VS VOLUNTEER Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway …….. VS VOLUNTEER Friends of WSH Shop & Trolley Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway ……..

6. From out of her window Ruth sees another Volunteer at work in the Courtyard Gardens ... Ruth is amazed at the number of volunteers she comes across! ... I didn’t know there are so many things that Volunteers do in the hospital, the staff are all great but it’s really nice to have this extra care too… I love my gardening - it’s a great way to help my local hospital and keep fit at the same time! There are always weeds to pull and leaves to sweep up … A Patient Satisfaction Survey volunteer asks Ruth if she would like to complete a questionnaire about her care … Ruth listens to RWSfm Bury’s Community Radio on her bedside entertainment system….she called the station and asked for a song. Ruth chose Westlife’s ‘Flying Without Wings’ – she’s a BIG fan!! Hello, have you seen our survey? It’s so important to the hospital to know what you think about the quality of the care you’ve received. If you wish I can show you how to complete it … … Hello, Bury St Edmunds and beyond ! Would you like a request played? You can listen to RWSfm on 103.3 on your ipod or free on your bedside screen … VS VOLUNTEER RWSfm(Community Radio) VS VOLUNTEER Courtyard Gardens Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway …….. VS VOLUNTEER Patient Satisfaction Surveys Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway ……..

7. When she is really fit again Ruth contacts the Voluntary Services office and, after sending in an application form, comes along to meet the Voluntary Services Manager ... Ruth is discharged 2 days later and has been recovering at home … 6 weeks later she’s back to see the consultant ... The Consultant is very happy with my recovery – and so am I! While I was waiting in Outpatients I read the ‘Volunteer’ magazine and I’m really interested in finding out more! … I’m, very pleased to meet you Ruth. From your application form it seems you are interested in 2 or 3 different volunteer roles which we can discuss … and perhaps some others which you might enjoy. It takes a few weeks to go through all the paperwork to become a volunteer … Ruth is having a ‘shadow’ session with an existing volunteer in the Eye Treatment Centre to see if she is happy with the role ... Health Screening References Criminal Records Check … Hi, I’m a volunteer handholder … let me show you what we do. It’s so rewarding and the staff and patients really appreciate our help … I love helping people in this way … Then there’s the induction and training sessions and meeting the staff in the area where Ruth is to become a volunteer … and finally …… VS VOLUNTEER Eye Treatment Centre VS VOLUNTARY SERVICES MANAGER Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway …….. Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway ……..

8. Ruth is now a Volunteer giving some of her spare time to help the patients and staff… Hi, I’m Ruth and I am now a Volunteer helping in my local hospital where I received such fantastic care! I can make a real difference to other patients’ experience, just like all those lovely volunteers did for me when I was in hospital …. Why not join me - you too could become a West Suffolk Hospital Volunteer! Volunteer Volunteer Vol Volunteer Volunteer Voluntee Volunteer Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway …….. Follow Ruth’s journey as a patient to see how many volunteers she interacts with along her patient pathway ……..

9. Ruth met many Volunteers working alongside staff during her stay in hospital … … there’s lots more Volunteering Opportunities too! VS VOLUNTARY SERVICES Join Ruth and become West Suffolk Hospital Volunteer! If you’re interested in finding out more Contact us in Voluntary Services for an Information Pack Call: 01284 713169 or email: voluntary.services@wsh.nhs.uk