I have been lucky enough to work in areas which have had volunteers assisting the nurses and I think the volunteers are essential to the day to day running of the department and I would be lost with out them they are special people who deserve recognition for all their efforts.
Winston Churchill once said
We make a living by what we get.
We make a life by what we give.
I think this should be the philosophy of all volunteers. They give up their own time and raise vital funds and assist in the little things which make all the difference to every one around them and I notice it when they are not on the department. I cannot praise them enought.
Stephen Donald-Outpatient Nurse Manager on the Walton Site of Aintree Hospitals
Volunteers have and continue to be a very important part of the out patients team. Within their role they support the nursing, AHP, patients, and visitors which is very important within our department. We on out patients have had some truly lovely volunteers who the staffs have had a great friendship and working relation ship with. As Clinic Nurse Manger of a very busy Out Patients Department volunteers are always welcome and encouraged.
Fran Murt-Clinic Nurse Manager
We had a volunteer (Linda) who worked in our very busy plaster room, she thought she would like a career as a plaster technician. She was excellent and very eager to learn.
Linda regularly attended and worked with the plaster technicians, she was a great help, calling patients into the room, getting them ready to have plasters removed or applied, she was able to reassure them, get the equipment ready for the technicians and support patients’ limbs. Linda would help look after ill or confused patients and was able to listen and comfort them. Linda would also accompany the technicians to the wards to assist with plaster related problems.
In return she learned about anatomy and physiology, different types of plaster cast and different types of casting materials. She also developed her knowledge of infection control and other topical issues.There were many occasions were she was invaluable, helping with the smooth running of the plaster room and helping to maintain and promote a professional service for our patients. A vacancy arose in the plaster room and Linda was successful at interview and got the post, she is currently a trainee plaster technician and will undertake full casting training in February 2009 and become a fully qualified Plaster Technician.
If it wasn’t for the volunteer service we would possibly never had such an excellent person in our team.
Jean Russell-Deputy Clinic Nurse Manager
e Volunteers enhance the range of services we can offer our patients and we believe they too benefit
few . They top up shelves tidy storeroom make drinks feed patients sit with lonely or restless patients and even make tea for staff if we are very busy I don’t know what I would do without them.
Jacey Dennehy sister 9nb