Hospital Friends approve presents

The money was agreed at the charity’s pre-Christmas meeting.

Pathologist Dr Stuart Mullins made a successful presentation in support of a bid for a £18,357 microscope.

He said the department dealt with around 11,000 cases a year at the Conquest Hospital, ranging from 10-minute tasks to hour-long cancer examinations.

A new consultant pathologist had been appointed two years ago but was still having to use an out-dated microscope which lacked the photographic facility and polarising system available to other members of the team who had more modern equipment.

Other gifts included a £4,500 echo cardiograph machine so that Tressell Ward at the Conquest Hospital can react quickly to patients’ needs, particularly in the evenings and at weekends.

The meeting also approved £5,995 for the purchase of an ECG machine for the main outpatients’ unit.

Two Quiet Cast saw systems costing in total £2,590 will make the removal of plaster casts less traumatic for orthopaedic department patients, especially children, those of a nervous disposition and those with learning difficulties.

A pair of chairs capable of bearing the weight of patients up to 50 stones and costing in total £589 will be bought for the physiotherapy department.

But the committee rejected an associated bid for £1,775 worth of multi-purpose chairs for the physiotherapy waiting room.

The committee also rejected a bid for funding of £1,000 a year for three years in support of art-in-hospital activities.

It also rejected a renewed cross-site £5,000 bid for the creation of a DVD to help patients with learning difficulties have a better understanding of the work of hospitals.

Treasurer Robin Barnett reported that Bexhill solicitors Gaby Hardwicke had raised £975 for the league with a staff sponsored run.

The physiotherapy service had raised £914 in gratitude for the league’s work with a sponsored walk from the Conquest Hospital to the Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Other donations had included £20 from Spartans Bowling Club, £16 from Sackville Road Methodist Church, £44 from the Irvine Unit Andy McLaggan Quiz, £200 from the Bowyer Charitable Foundation, £65.67 from solicitors Young, Coles and Langdon, £68 from Glenleigh Park Townswomen’s Guild, £46 from Barclays’ Bexhill Pensioners’ Club and £442 from Bexhill and Sussex Freemasons for art work in the Irvine Unit.

Legacies received had included £130,000 from an anticipated £150,000 from the estate of Mrs E. M. Cull-Candy, £45,000 from the as-yet unknown estate of Mrs G.E. Eacott and £49,872 in a bequest from Mrs V.M. Walton.

Gifts of £225 and £235 had been received in memory of former league member Peter Daw and of Past Rotarian Ted Clarke.

A Gift Aid refund of £343.48 had been received..