Volun-cheers!

Volunteers' Week takes place this year 1-7 June an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.

The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust is privileged to have more than 200 volunteers working in 15 different areas around the hospital.

James Scott, Chief Executive, paid tribute to volunteers that help out. He said: "I'm proud that at the RUH we have a brilliant team of volunteers, making a real difference for our patients, colleagues and visitors every single day. I'd like to take this opportunity to say a genuine, heartfelt thank you. We really appreciate the time and effort that you selflessly give to make this hospital so special."

Our volunteers offer their time and effort to support a diverse range of activities including, breastfeeding support, gardening, working on Bath Hospital Radio, running the Friends of the RUH coffee shop and shop, offering a friendly face when people arrive for an appointment, and fundraising. Volunteers help to make patients and visitors time in hospital that bit easier.

Samantha Nolan, Manager of Volunteer Services said: "The team of volunteers we have here at the RUH are great to work with. We are incredibly lucky to be supported by dedicated, hardworking and amazing people. Our volunteers do make a difference and their support is valued by everyone – thank you!"

Susan Meakin has been a patient experience volunteer for three years. She said: "I was quite ill a few years ago and once I was feeling better I wanted to do some volunteering. I thought because I have been so well looked after by the RUH, I'll do some volunteering at the hospital. As a patient experience volunteer, we collect patient feedback to help identify issues and share suggestions. I feel that not being in uniform makes us more approachable and I talk to a lot of patients. The most common feedback I get is what a fantastic job our nurses do!"

For more information on the volunteering opportunities available at the RUH go to:

www.ruh.nhs.uk/get_involved

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust is now working towards building a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre and a new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future
• All volunteers undergo full pre-employment checks, a DBS and complete an occupational health assessment, as well as attending an induction session.
• Volunteers' Week takes place 1-7 June every year and is an opportunity to say thank you for the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.

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