Tuesday 10 February 2015
Leatherhead Hospital League of Friends has donated more than £11,000 worth of new equipment to the onsite gym, which is used by NHS physiotherapy patients. The League has also paid for new flooring in the ‘conservatory’ part of the gym, where much of the new equipment is sited.
This latest donation brings the total donated to the gym by the League over the past few years to more than £26,000, and means it is one of the best equipped NHS gyms in Surrey.
The improved gym will be officially opened by Dame Sarah Goad DCVO JP, HM Lord Lieutenant Surrey at a ceremony on Tuesday 10th February. She will cut a ribbon at 2.30pm and have the opportunity to meet patients and physiotherapists. She will be joined by Chairman of the League of Friends Audrey Mellers, Secretary Robert Youldon and CSH Surrey Managing Director Jo Pritchard. Other Trustees from Leatherhead Hospital League of Friends will also be present.
The latest equipment includes multi-gym weights units (eg a seated leg-press) as well as cycle, rowing and cross-training machines.
The new facilities means CSH Surrey can offer the best possible rehabilitation services to a wide range of local patients. Services include regular supervised exercise and movement classes that support and speed up recovery, both mentally and physically. Patients can also attend the gym on a one-to-one basis if this is most appropriate for their clinical care.
More than 1000 patients a year attend the weekly physiotherapist-led classes, which range from shoulder and chronic back pain groups to specialised rehabilitation classes for patients with orthopaedic conditions or who are recovering from surgery. CSH Surrey also holds classes with the local Parkinson’s Society so patients are able to exercise safely and enjoy fitness activities, and its Integrated Rehabilitation Service (IRS) runs supervised classes at the gym to help older patients improve their mobility, balance and confidence and thus improve their quality of life.
Jo Pritchard, Managing Director of CSH Surrey, says: “We are extremely grateful to the Leatherhead Hospital League of Friends for their very generous donation and to Dame Sarah Goad for officially opening the upgraded gym for us. The gym is now one of the best equipped NHS gym facilities in Surrey, meaning we are able to offer a truly comprehensive physiotherapy service for local patients.”
The League of Friends originally funded setting up and equipping the physiotherapy gym, which won the Community Hospital Association national award in 2000 for innovation in recognition of its work in rehabilitating elderly patients.
Audrey Mellers, Leatherhead Hospital League of Friends Chairman, says:
“The Leatherhead Physiotherapy service is second to none, and the League of Friends is delighted to improve this service by donating some of its funds to such a worthwhile project. This will be of great benefit to patients in the area.”