The Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital (QVM), as part of the Herts Community NHS Trust’s Intermediate Care Team, caters for patients who need rehabilitation following a stay in an acute hospital.
The usual stay is up to six weeks during which the staff strive to help patients reach their potential and maximise their independence. Patients are supported who have had a stroke, medical, surgical or orthopaedic illness.
Patients are only discharged when their future needs have been assessed and provision arranged for any continuing support required.
The Intermediate Care Team consists of qualified Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists and Dietitians who are supported by generic Technical Instructors and Health Care Assistants.
Support provided by the Friends
As part of the larger refurbishment scheme at QVM the Friends funded the rebuilding of a new reception area which includes a dedicated space for patients and their families. Friends contributed £48,000 for this work
The Friends purchased a specialist vehicle at a cost of £22,000 which is available for use by both Danesbury and QVM. This vehicle is used to transport patients for treatments elsewhere or home visits. We continue to pay for its servicing and licensing.
The Friends funded the transformation of a neglected courtyard area with overgrown flowerbeds was transformed into an attractive sitting area for patients and their visitors.
The Friends have supported Danesbury in many ways other than those mentioned above, here are just a few other ways in which we have been able to help over the past year:
| AGE UK sessions for patients £1,680 |
| Music therapy sessions £1,600 |
| Matchette cushions £359 |
| Specialised cutlery for patients £200 |
| Patient and visitor's chairs £6,400 |
| Exercise classes for patients £175 |
| Monthly magazines & newspapers for the patients |