Introduction
The Voluntary Services Department provides a range of important extra services which are not
strictly essential to health care, but which can make an enormous difference to the patients well-being.
Patients feeling isolated in the unfamiliar and professional hospital environment may be greatly comforted to
see a volunteer willing to come and help in their free time. Volunteers are always seen to complement the work
of paid staff, and are never used as a substitute.
Volunteers must at least 17 years of age, 18 for some areas. Trust Volunteers are selected
very carefully from the many applicants who apply each year. All volunteers undergo Criminal Records Bureau
(CRB) checks and a Medical Assessment by the Occupational Health Department. An interview with the Voluntary
Services Manager will take place whereby all aspect of voluntary work will be discussed.
Volunteers are always seen to complement the work of paid staff, and are never used as a substitute.
There are approximately 550 Trust Registered Volunteers, who work alongside staff, to enhance
the quality of care provided to inpatients and outpatients, in a diverse range of ways, for varying periods of
time each week.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF EVERY VOLUNTEER PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE DAY TO DAY RUNNING OF
THE TRUST |
