Hospital volunteers honoured for long service

Thirty volunteers at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) have just received awards in recognition of their long service a combined total of more than 260 years !

The awards were presented by Lady Pippa Dannatt, High Sheriff of Norfolk, at the Volunteers’ Christmas Party held at the hospital.

Hospital Radio founder Bob Proudfoot received an award for 40 years’ service as did the whole volunteer team at Hospital Radio Norwich which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Seventeen volunteers received five-year long service awards, eight volunteers received ten-year long service awards, and four received fifteen-year long service awards.

Anna Dugdale, Chief Executive of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, says: “We are very pleased to be able to recognise our volunteers and their dedication to our hospitals. Their support enriches the lives of patients and staff across both hospitals and we are very grateful to them.”

There are 675 volunteers at NNUH who fulfil a variety of roles, such as meeting and greeting patients as they arrive at hospital, supporting patients and staff in the wards and clinics, and providing support to patients at mealtimes. Dementia support volunteers have been introduced to the Older People’s Medicine wards and some specialist roles have also been established such as Reading Aloud, Reminiscence, Breast Feeding Support and Music Therapy.

Seventeen volunteers have received five-year long service awards:
• Denis Dyett (Audiology). Denis was also the winner of the NNUH Volunteer of the year award.
• Margaret Beesley (DPU and Ophthalmology)
• Malcolm Sweetman (Weybourne Day Unit)
• Debbie Bird (Mealtime Assistant)
• Ralph Richley (Heydon Ward)
• Stephen Crane (Opthalmology)
• Robert Hoile (Dermatology)
• Angie Chisholm (East I/P Reception)
• Barry Gibson (Pain Management NCH)
• Carla Strange (Patient Experience Ward Surveys)
• Carole Childerhouse (Nelson Day Unit)
• Hazel Vincent (West O/P Reception)
• Jean Christian-Davis (West O/P Reception)
• Kim Brighouse (Chapel)
• Linda Pountain (Chapel)
• Sheila Litherland (Weybourne Day Unit)
• Brian Ashfield (Meet & Greet)

Eight volunteers have received ten-year long service awards:
• Betty Kinsella (Pre Op Assessment)
• Edward Peters (East O/P Reception)
• Irene Haverson (Weybourne Day Unit)
• James Scott (Chapel)
• Maureen Chambers (East O/P Reception)
• Nicolette Chancellor (Neurology)
• Stewart Selby (Chapel)
• Margaret Dixon (Chapel)

Four volunteers have received fifteen-year long service awards:

• Deirdre Cubitt (Gissing Ward)
• Reginald Beaumont (Mulbarton Ward)
• Margaret “Peggy” Grubb (Nelson Day Unit)
• Neil Ogilvie (Edgefield Ward)

Forty-year long service awards:
• Bob Proudfoot (Founder of Hospital Radio Norwich)
• And to HRN itself for reaching their 40th year of providing a radio service to the hospital