Alice Martin from the Chatsworth Estate was guest speaker at the recent AGM for Matlock Hospitals League of Friends at Whitworth Hospital.
Alice presented an illustrated talk on the first Duke of Devonshire which explained the history of the 1600s leading to the creation of the first Duke of Devonshire in the Peerage of England. She is pictured (right) being presented with flowers by Pam Wildgoose and Tom Pilkington, honorary secretary and chair of the League respectively.
During the business of the AGM, Pam Wildgoose reported on another successful year of substantial improvements and spending by the League to enhance the facilities at Whitworth Hospital.
The highlight of the past year was the upgrade of The Lodge building, which had been on the hospital “wishlist” for many years. The League invested substantially to bring the building up to a high standard of renovation, including reconfiguration of the room layout to meet the current needs of the hospital users better. More details are available here: A magical date for Whitworth as The Lodge refurbishment is celebrated :: Derbyshire Community Health Services
A new project was agreed to rebuild Oker Ward’s conservatory which was originally built by the League 30 years ago. This work will involve the replacement of rotten woodwork, all glazing and new composite doors.
The League provided various pieces of equipment throughout the hospital during the year, on request from the clinical teams, and also provided recycled furniture comprising six chairs, a table and a bench for the Wildgoose Wing staff dining patio.
League member Eileen Tutsell has now knitted and made nearly 1,000 teddies for children attending the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC). This is a remarkable feat and the teddies are very well received by children and their families in the unit.
Pam finished her report by thanking the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire for their ongoing support as Presidents of the League and members of the League committee.
All of us at Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust are immensely grateful to the League for its generosity, dedication and commitment to making the facilities as comfortable and modern as they possibly can be at Whitworth Hospital. We are lucky to have your support.