The team of volunteers at Noble’s Hospital have been recognised this week for the contribution they make to the hospital and the Island’s wider health and social care services.

Member for Acute Healthcare, Ralph Peake MHK, brought Noble’s Hospital’s 2016 Volunteers Week to a close today, acknowledging the help, guidance and support patients and visitors receive from volunteers. Mr Peake took the opportunity to thank the volunteers for their selflessness and dedication.

The event, held annually, helps to raise awareness of the important role of volunteers at Noble’s Hospital. It also gives management, staff, patients and the wider community the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution volunteers make.

The week opened with a speech from Merle Matthews, one of the hospital’s oldest volunteers, where she spoke of how much she enjoys the time she spends at the hospital, both as a Clinic Guide and a flower arranger for the Hospital Chapel. Over the week a series of ‘back to the floor’ events were held, which included Minister Howard Quayle assisting on the reception desk in the hospital’s main foyer, Member for Acute Healthcare Ralph Peake MHK acting as a Clinic Guide, and the Chief Executive of the Department of Health and Social Care Dr Malcolm Couch helping with the Mobile Book Service.

This year the Front of House Services Team also used the week as an opportunity to develop its network of volunteers with a series of roadshows across the Island in Douglas, Peel, Ramsey and Port Erin. It gave members of the public interested in supporting the community an opportunity to find out more about the role of a hospital volunteer.

Volunteers compliment a range of services at Noble’s Hospital, helping to provide a meet and greet service; acting as clinic guides; operating the mobile book service and mobile hobby service; serving as dining companions, befrienders and non-medical volunteer escorts for the Patient Transfer Department; and supporting people affected by cancer in the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.

Anyone with some time to spare who can commit to volunteering for a regular session can contact Dawn Stanton, Front of House Manager, by telephoning 650720 or emailing volunteers.nobles@gov.im for more information, no previous experience is necessary.

Photo - Ralph Peake MHK, Member for Acute Healthcare, with staff and volunteers at Noble’s Hospital.