MSFG Charity Vote

After much discussion, it was suggested that rather than support 1 National & 1 Local charity we would support local charities only. This is because it was felt that employees would like to see exactly what was being done with their donations so instead of us just handing over a cheque, we could donate a piece of much needed equipment, or some members of staff could actually go and visit the chosen charity to see how they work etc. A number of charity events, such as a sponsored walk, Spooky Stay-over and a facility to make donations directly out of your salary are planned. All we need now is a Charity to support.

This is where you come in. To make this a worth while effort we need the support of everyone, which is why it has been decided to put this to the company vote. Below are all the nominated charities along with a brief write up explaining what the charity does. If you would like to know more about any of them please contact Sarah Hayden.

Votes need to be cast by 5.30 on Thursday 4th August and the results will be announced early Friday morning. Would all team leaders please pass on the link to colleagues without email to ensure they have their vote.

You may vote once, duplicate votes will not be counted

Special Care Baby Unit (Countess)

Nominated by an employee who's 2 children have both been in this unit due to being born 11 weeks early. Here are their comments:

A lot of the vital equipment needed by the unit is not provided by the NHS, but it is donated by local businesses or bought through fundraising. Throughout my two babies' times in SCBU, I have seen first hand the dedication of the staff without full resources, and sometimes without equipment which can make such a difference to, not only the staff but most importantly the lives of sick and premature babies. They would benefit greatly from any donations that could be passed there way, and I consider them to be a very worthwhile cause.

Hospice of the Good Shepherd

Their philosophy is one which affirms life and is a concept for caring and living. The hospice exists to provide and promote the highest total care possible for people with advanced cancer, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's chorea and AIDs and to provide help and support for their families and others important to their care. Thus enabling patients to live as full a life as possible, with in the limitations of their illness, and a peaceful dignified death at the end of life. These services are provided Free Of Charge to people from Chester, Ellesmere Port, Deeside and Rural Cheshire.

To fulfil the philosophy £1.7 million is needed per year to provide:

• In-Patient Care within a purpose built building surrounded by gardens and trees in a homely environment.
• Day Care Facilities where diversional and creative therapies are provided as well as enormous amount of support to carers, families and friends.

Also offered are a range of complimentary therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology and aromatherapy as well as diversional therapies and social contact with the added facilities of a light sensory room and quiet room.

A highly skilled and multi-professional team, which includes doctors, MacMillan nurses, bereavement counsellors, social workers and a chaplaincy team, help provide all this.

Nightingale House Hospice

Nightingale House is the only specialist palliative care facility in North East Wales that supports individuals suffering from a life limiting condition.

Patients come from Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire and outlying areas. Their service includes:

• A 16 bed inpatient unit
• A Day Care Centre for up to 15 patients per day.
• The first every Lymphoedema Clinic to be established in North Wales.
• The only hydrotherapy pool for adults within the area.

They have a very proactive rehabilitation service, which includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, out patient clinics, complimentary and diversional therapies, and also provide a bereavement service for adults and Release, a service specifically for young people from the age of 5 to 19 years old. Each year it costs £1.6 million to run the hospice, of which £1.4 million must be found through fundraising.

Coronary Care Unit (Countess)

Nominated by an employee as they helped her father when he had two heart attacks. Here are her comments:

The Coronary Care unit (heart unit) of the Countess of Chester Hospital saved my Dad's life when he had two heart attacks in 1995. He has since been back several times with acute angina and they always take good care of him.

Currently they are fund raising for life saving heart equipment which isn't always provided by the NHS.

B Positive (Countess)

An appeal to raise £300,000 to improve facilities for patients undergoing chemotherapy, immunotherapy and other treatments for cancers and blood disorders at the Countess of Chester Hospital The Current total raised including pledges is £42,000.

This appeal was officially launched on the 19th January 2005 at the Long Room, Eaton Hall with a starting balance of £40,000 which included £11,000 pledged from pubs and clubs in the Chester area.

The Medical Day Unit was purpose built 11 years ago. We currently have five bed spaces which are used mainly to treat patients with malignant blood diseases such as myeloma, leukaemia and lymphoma. Chemotherapy is administered to patients with breast, lung and colorectal cancer. The unit also treats patients with rheumatology and neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and undertakes bone testing and other diagnostic procedures. The Unit opened in 1993 and the range and number of treatments available has grown significantly since then and the Unit has a high throughput. Chemotherapy can be a long and complex treatment, often physically and emotionally draining and our patients need to attend frequently, sometimes for several hours.

The Appeal now urgently need more space to provide:

• A calm and reassuring environment.
• An area to allow patients more privacy during treatment and to benefit from counselling or pastoral care.

I have attended the Day Unit for over 6 years battling against my condition - Chronic lymphatic leukaemia. The nurses are brilliant and create an atmosphere where patients can relax and even enjoy some humour during their treatment. Unfortunately there are occasions when the limited space and lack of privacy can cause patients to feel more stress during these anxious times. — Ken Partington