Steadily Moving Onwards – The Word From the Chairman
A year of consolidation, 2023 saw many successes as the Friends of St Monica’s Hospital (FOSMH), “got on with the business”. That was the verdict of Chairman David Kenworthy in his report to its Annual General Meeting in May.
There has been a clear focus on supporting the hospital itself as well as a raft of initiatives to help health and wellbeing throughout Easingwold and neighbouring villages. In St Monica’s itself, the Friends have backed the comfort and rehabilitation of patients in collaboration with Sister Jade Barnes and Palliative Care has also benefited from funding from FOSMH. “In addition we have improved staff facilities and helped new overseas nurses settle in so that they will be encouraged to remain”, reported David.
Community-based initiatives received significant financial help from FOSMH with 14 organisations given grants that will facilitate improved physical and mental health. At the AGM attended by members of FOSMH and of the public David reported that:
“The breadth of ideas that we have supported has meant that people of all ages, and in many different situations have been reached , with the projects having long-lasting benefits.
St Monica’s is an enormous benefit to our communities and to the NHS. We will continue to work hard to safeguard this precious asset and meet with local NHS Trust directors as they review premises in the York area. With a great team at St Monica’s we will work to maintain its special nature in addition to looking outwards to the wider health and welfare of our communities.
Our significant backing has made the Proactive Health and Care Clinic possible, the first of its kind locally, a big step forward in supporting patients from some local surgeries, and it’s an indication of the commitment we have to local people and health.”
Inside the Hospital – New Facilities, New Staff, New Ideas
It’s been a busy and productive first year at St Monica’s for Sister Jade Barnes. Introducing improved facilities for patients and staff, welcoming new nurses, and the opening of the Autumn Room, have all combined with high patient occupancy and, as she has said:
“I’m always looking to see where improvements can be made with the financial support of FOSMH.
The hairdresser visits have been really popular, and even what might seem simple things have made a difference to patients, their visitors, and those of us that work here. One of our volunteers is responsible for flower arrangements, and their return, organised by the Friends, means that patients get that little bit of extra attention that nursing schedules make difficult.”
Jade is particularly keen on developing the quality of life for those receiving palliative care:
“The Autumn Room is a wonderful asset, and we can make a person’s last days of life as comfortable as possible. Funds from the Friends enable us to be person-centred, so an individual might receive special socks that are more comfortable on their skin, particular toiletries, or a really comfortable blanket.”
Elsewhere in the hospital Jade is looking to introduce some more social activities for patients:
“With the help of FOSMH, we can purchase, jigsaws, games and the like, and possibly arrange activities like a Pamper Day, all in conjunction with the volunteers. The support of the Friends is enormously important to all of us at St Monica’s, and I’m looking forward to another year of it.”
Proactive Health and Care Clinic – Major New Health Project
A pioneering Proactive Health and Care Clinic is being funded by the Friends of St Monica’s Hospital (FOSMH). The two-year project will benefit patients who are dealing with the consequences of frailty and provides a “one-stop shop” range of help covering several services.
Led by Dr John Morris of Millfield Surgery, it hopes to maintain or improve people’s health, wellbeing and independence. Dr Morris explained:
“Frailty is a spectrum of issues, with consequences that include reduced mobility, falls, loneliness, strain on carers, or issues related to the medications used. They can be medical, social, or physical and, as a result of the grant from FOSMH, we can deal with them in an holistic, co-ordinated manner.”
The Clinic will operate once a week and patients will be reviewed by a GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and Social Prescriber, who will be able to identify what social support might be needed. Dr Morris continued:
“There is good evidence that these clinics work and, indeed, the Royal College of Geriatric Medicine sees them as the gold standard way of managing frailty.
We hope that benefits will include reduced hospital admissions as people are better equipped to maintain their independence, so creating less pressure on this part of the NHS. Outcomes, including patient satisfaction and quality of life scores, will be measured.”
Recognising the backing of FOSMH, Dr Morris spoke of the project’s cost:
“Bringing this professional expertise together needs finances that aren’t available in the local NHS budget. Quite simply, we wouldn’t be able to provide this clinic and its innovative and impactful services without FOSMH.”
The Clinic is open to patients from Millfield, Tollerton, and Stillington surgeries and assessments are carried out at St Monica’s.
Grants – Enabling Others to Deliver Healthy Lives
The health of local people isn’t, of course, wholly dependent on hospitals, clinics, or surgeries. Providing resources that promote physical and mental health through other ways is a key part of what FOSMH can do. That’s why we make grants to support existing programmes, or to help get new initiatives off the ground. In 2022/23 we made 14 grants. They included funds for Junior Parkrun, Kurt’s Club, Easingwold Short Mat Bowling Club, a new All-Access Trail at Alne Playing Fields, new wheelchairs for Ampleforth & Hovingham Surgeries, Seated Yoga at Springhill Court,
and for the Men In Sheds project.
Chair of the Grants Committee, Graham Pratt, explained:
“The Grants Committee focus over the coming year will continue so, if you have an innovative charitable idea along these lines, please contact us through our website and fill out the brief Pre-Application Form link on the Grant Applications page. We will then respond with feedback on whether your project is likely to be successful before asking for a more detailed Project Plan form needing to be completed.
I want to stress that we want to spread good health through our grants and, as long as our criteria are met, then we will work with you to do that.”
Criteria for grants include:
- Grant is essential to proceed with the activity
- Where other sources of funding have been approached but not part of a general appeal for funds
- Where there are benefits to sections of the community who would not otherwise have access
- Where there can be demonstrable benefits to the health and wellbeing of participants
The Autumn Project – Special Care at the End of Life
A newly refurbished Autumn Project Palliative Care suite has been opened at St Monica’s. The Autumn Project has been launched across the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to provide more private, comfortable and less clinical surroundings for patients and families experiencing end of life care. Friends of St Monica’s Hospital (FOSMH) who have supported the project both financially and with practical assistance. The rooms give privacy and peace to patients at the end of their lives. Sister Jade Barnes explained:
“The focus of the Autumn project is to ensure that care provided to those in their last days of life is personalised and person-centred. The newly decorated Autumn room is designed to create a less clinical environment, with lower lighting, nicer décor, comfy blankets and amenities for families too.”
There is a sofa bed and a kitchenette with a fridge-freezer if the family wants to stay with patients and visits by pets can even be accommodated. Memory boxes can also be made with family and friends.
Having funded and helped to launch the first Autumn Room palliative care suite in February, the FOSMH have now assisted with the second Autumn room. Local artist Julie Midsummer kindly gave her time to paint a mural of a view across to the White Horse which lends to a relaxing atmosphere. David Kenworthy, Chair of the Friends and Sister Jade Barnes thanked Julie with a big bunch of flowers. A little mouse, painted perched on the top of the light switch looked on. Move over Banksy!
Leather on Willow and a Grant From Friends of St Monica’s
The summer sounds of cricket are being heard even more clearly thanks to Friends of St Monica’s Hospital (FOSMH) and Easingwold Cricket Club (ECC). Phillip Bell, from ECC, said:
“We are extremely grateful to FOSMH .Their grant from has made possible the installation of two new hybrid wickets at ECC, a catalyst for success at all levels especially junior. Having the hybrid wickets enables us to host more cricket and has been instrumental to allowing junior cricket to succeed.”
The Chair of FOSMH, David Kenworthy, is pleased at the popularity and benefits of the project:
“Our aims include encouraging sporting participation where outcomes of health and wellbeing are evident to us, and there is a clear objective with probability of increasing take up by youngsters if needed facilities can be provided.
The whole community can benefit because the infrastructure is now in place.”
Phillip Bell added:
“The wickets have enabled us to host Easingwold Primary and Outwood Academy cricket, have Friday sessions for 100 children, and field U-11 and U-15 teams. We hope to launch a Girls’ team too.”
Stillington Cricket Club has also been supported by FOSMH as part of its programme to encourage more participation by juniors and women. A grant towards a new roller was made earlier this year.
Grateful for Your Support
One of the highlights of fundraising this year has been Hilary Dutton who ran a virtual London Marathon in aid of FOSMH. Thanks Hilary!
If you’d like to help the Friends in our work supporting the Hospital and health projects in the area then please consider donating. With the help of local people and businesses we can continue to provide additional services and facilities in St Monica’s, and contribute to the good physical and mental health of residents throughout the area.
How to Donate
You can use the JustGiving website to either donate to Friends of St Monica’s Hospital directly or set up a fundraiser on our behalf by visiting justgiving.com/fosmh
By Bank Transfer
- Bank: Lloyds Bank
- Account Name: The League of Friends of St Monicas Hospital
- Sort Code: 30-99-50
- Account Number: 76732160
Volunteers Are Back – Helping Patients and Staff
Friends Trustee Jenny Rhodes:
“The Friends of St Monica’s Hospital are now able to invite our volunteers back into the hospital after over a year’s absence due to Covid and its impact.
They are a great help supporting the medical staff in the hospital by taking on the important job of serving morning coffee and afternoon tea amongst other non-medical duties.
Our volunteers are dedicated local people who give up a couple of hours on a weekday morning or afternoon to help the patients in our unique local hospital.
We ask that you commit yourself to either a morning or an afternoon each week and you would work with an experienced volunteer. Training will be given after a successful interview with our Volunteers Coordinator.
There’s also a straightforward handbook to refer to for answers to any questions.”
Contact Us
Anyone interested in any aspect of our activity should email us at [email protected] or use the contact form on our website.
Write to Us
The Honorary Secretary
Friends of St Monica’s
St Monica’s Hospital
Long Street
Easingwold YO61 3JD
The League of Friends of St Monica’s Hospital is Registered Charity no. 1197052, founded in 1969 and rooted in the local community.
We support the health and care services in the hospital and the area served by the surgeries at Tollerton, Easingwold, Stillington, Ampleforth and Hovingham with the purchase of equipment and services that cannot be funded by the NHS.
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