New seating helps patients navigate busy eye clinic

New colour coded seating has been installed in the Eye Clinic at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) thanks to a donation of £20,000 from the Friends of NNUH.

The Eye Clinic sees over 100,000 patients each year covering a wide age range. The new seating has armrests to help patients with limited mobility and the colour coding helps patients to find the relevant clinic area.

Rachel Emberson, Eye Clinic Sister, said: “We approached the Friends of NNUH earlier this year asking for their support and outlined the advantages of the new seating for patients who may have impaired vision or mobility issues. We were delighted with the tremendous support we have received from the charity. The new seating has made a huge difference to both patients and staff and it shows how something as simple as new chairs can impact on a patients experience within the hospital. We are so grateful to the Friends for this funding.”

The Friends of NNUH has supported the hospital for over 10 year and since 2009 has donated over £300,000 to fund additional medical equipment and support the care of patients.

Richard Drew, Chairman of The Friends, said: “The department applied to us for the funding for the seating and we were more than happy to oblige. It is great to be able to help out with providing additional benefits for patients.”

The Friends next fundraising event is 6th July with Art at the Forum supported by Castle Fine Art Gallery.

For further information about The Friends please call the Chair, Richard Drew on 01508 558527.

Notes to editors:
The Friends of Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is a group of volunteers who fundraise on behalf of the hospital along with nominated Trust staff. Decisions about how to spend funds is decided by the Trustees on receipt of an application at bimonthly meetings. In order to support the work of the hospital, grants are given to departments and wards for specific items that will help to improve the experience of patients and their families.

Since 2009 the Friends of NNUH has donated over £300,000 in grants for additional items at the hospital. They continue the good work carried out by the previous Friends of Norwich Hospitals Charity which was concluded in 2010.

Money raised will benefit Friends of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (registered charity no. 1130560)