As 2025 draws to a close, the Chair of Friends of St Monica’s Hospital (FOSMH), David Kenworthy reflects on what has been achieved over the last year.
The future of the hospital
Many people will be aware that the future of the hospital has been precarious over the last few years. Would it move to be part of a new nursing home to be built on the site in York Road or, because of the precarious state of NHS funding, close altogether?
FOSMH trustees have therefore been reluctant to spend money on hospital improvements unless there was some certainty that the money would be a sound investment. The Chief Executive of the NHS Trust assured us at a meeting with our local MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke, that there was no intention of moving the St Monica’s beds into the new nursing home or of shutting the hospital. This meant that trustees could focus on what the hospital needed.
Windows
It was evident that most urgent problem for the hospital was the state of the windows. The existing metal-framed windows are draughty and in a neglected, bad condition and FOSMH decided to pay for replacements.
The scale of the undertaking
It isn’t just the old windows that are causing problems but the modern sunroom and patients’ sitting room are single glazed. In the summer the rooms are too hot and, in the winter, too cold.
The project is going well, especially with some hidden problems that an old building has. The architects will be consulting with North Yorkshire Council over materials and, if planning permission is eventually granted, work should begin next year.
A new shower room and nurses station
In addition to the windows, a bathroom in the hospital will be changed into a shower room and a new nurses’ station will be formed between the two wards.
Grant making
Nearly 20,000 local people are served by the four surgeries in the area and our grant making has continued apace to support their health and wellbeing. Trustees make difficult decisions when weighing up the merits of grant applications. Our deliberations prove that it is not easy to give away money wisely. Every application is a learning opportunity. What is gratifying is to receive letters from successful applicants telling us about their projects and what has been achieved with the grants.
Underlining the importance of the hospital team
Of course, nothing would be achieved at St Monica‘s without the staff. We are fortunate to have our own community hospital with excellent nursing care. Staff need to be supported to achieve excellence. FOSMH will do that.
I am also pleased to say that volunteers are now regularly employed in the hospital. They take some of the load from staff and add an extra layer of support for patients.
A thank you to all involved
On behalf of FOSMH I’d like to thank all those groups, individuals, and businesses who have helped us in 2025. By doing so, they’ve helped the hospital and the good health of the community.
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