Volunteers selflessly return to help Dewsbury Hospital Emergency Department

A small number of volunteers are delighted to have recently returned to their roles at Dewsbury & District Hospital Emergency Department (ED) supporting the service, helping patients, and relieving some of the increased pressure on staff.

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust are currently rebuilding their Volunteer’s team across the Trust after many volunteers had to stay at home during the pandemic. The voluntary service supports the Trust in many roles across each of it's three hospital sites as guides, in the volunteer cafés, as ward befrienders, on hospital radio, in administration, with Macmillan cancer services and in many other roles, aiming to increase patient and staff experience.

Roles completed by the five volunteers who cover different shifts at Dewsbury ED range from helping patients move from one area to the next, general ward housekeeping, keeping patients hydrated, alerting staff to patients who require extra attention and patient companionship; being a friendly ear for patients to sit and talk to as they wait to be seen.

Stewart Kaye (pictured), Volunteer at Dewsbury Hospital ED said;

“I was delighted when we were told we could return to our volunteering roles in the ED, following the lifting of national Covid restrictions.”

After completing his mandatory infection control processes and role specific training, Stewart equipped with PPE wasted no time in making hot drinks and greeting patients, alongside his other tasks.

Kate Briggs, Dewsbury ED Lead Nurse at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said;

“During the Covid-19 pandemic we really missed our team of volunteers in the ED. Having Stewart and the other volunteers back is a joyous welcome.

Volunteers are an integral part of the team enhancing the patient experience we can provide to our patients through the busiest of times.”

If you or anyone you know are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, you can apply online. If you would like more information, please contact Voluntary Services on 01924 543451 or Midyorks.volunteer@nhs.net.