HALSTEAD HOSPITAL LEAGUE OF FRIENDS CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2023
This is Halstead Hospital League of Friends 55 th AGM and I would like to start by
thanking the officers, committee, members and volunteers for their longstanding
support and commitment to the future of Halstead Hospital and the local medical
services. I would particularly like to thank our Vice Chairman , Jackie Pell, for
her unwavering support.
Although the threat of Covid still lingers we have managed to return to
bimonthly face to face meetings.
This last year has been a worry and a struggle particularly concerning the ward
block which remained closed until last December. We have continued to battle
to get the ward block reopened. Our local MP, James Cleverly, has been a great
support and has helped us with our campaign. He kindly accepted an invitation
to walk round the empty ward and I will never forget his incredulity that such an
excellent facility had been forsaken.
We received little feedback from PROVIDE who extended their 'Virtual Ward in
the Community' and all did not look promising.
The Facebook page we opened last year has been a success and an excellent
communication media with the local community and now has over 500 members
who have given us their full support. Thanks to Bridget Couch for keeping it up
to date.
The League of Friends has also had great support from the Halstead Town
Council and thanks in particular to Mick Radley and Dave Gronland.
The turning point in our campaign came at the end of last year when pressures
on District General Hospital's (DGHs) became intolerable and central funding
was found to reopen Halstead Hospital ward block on a three month trial from
early December 2022 until March 2023. An excellent Ward Manager, Mel Evans,
was appointed and with adequate numbers of nursing staff, physiotherapists and
occupational therapist the ward has proved a resounding success with an
average patient turnover of 11 days. Patients and relatives have been very
happy with their hospital experience and feedback has been very positive.
James Cleverley revisited on March 4th and was most impressed. The League of
Friends was able to reinstate our Christmas visit and presents on the ward on
Christmas Day and we held a staff buffet in January to thank them for all their
hard work.
It has been agreed that the ward block will remain open for another year while
its future role is being reviewed alongside St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon and
Brentwood Community Hospital by Mid and South Essex Alliance Integrated
Care System(ICS). At this point I would like to thank Dan Doherty, a Director of
the ICS, who has given up his time to support us and keep us updated on the
current situation in the NHS. He has had feedback that the ward is being well
used, has a good turnover of patients and has eased the pressures on acute DGHs
We now feel much more optimistic about the future but realistic that the future
of the ward block remains in the balance.
Further good news this year is the announcement that Elizabeth Courtauld
Surgery have been given permission to open a branch surgery in the old X ray
block of Halstead Hospital. We look forward to working with them and
supporting them in this new venture.
The League has remained active in improving the facilities at the hospital. We
have funded air conditioning units in the Rehabilitation Centre consulting rooms
and in reception which will make life much more tolerable.
We continue to liaise closely with the ward and I would like to thank Bridget
Couch who is our day to day communication route with the Ward Manager and
staff.
We continue to receive legacies and monies and I would like to thank all those
that leave donations to the League of Friends. We are most grateful and always
ensure these are wisely used.
I would like to thank Steve Barber who voluntarily monitors our two
defibrillators in the town. This life saving equipment needs regular review and
maintenance and we have been very lucky to have Steve keep a check on it.
Thank you to our treasurer Andy Green for monitoring our finances and being
always available for advice and guidance on monetary matters.
Thank you to James Waters for looking after our website.
I would particularly like to thank Eileen Self , our secretary, for all hard work
carrying out the minutes, supporting the Chairman and keeping us on the
straight and narrow. Thank you !
In conclusion I feel more optimistic for the future of Halstead Hospital but
realistic that there is still a way to go. We remain at the mercy of those who run
the system with limited resources.
We will continue to champion best clinical practice and fight hard against
reduced services for the people of Halstead.
Thank you for your support
Alan Symington.
