Volunteers step in to provide large slice of the cash needed for new Wisbech injuries unit

VOLUNTEERS have raised nearly half the �75,000 cost of providing a new minor injuries unit at the North Cambs Hospital in Wisbech.

"The unit was funded by NHS Cambridgeshire (PCT) and Friends of North Cambs Hospital," said David Gwilliam, clinical lead for minor injuries for Cambridgeshire Community Services.

"The cost was in the region of �75,000, of which �32,000 was kindly donated by the Friends of North Cambs Hospital."

The centre "has made a significant difference for staff and the quality of services we can now provide to our patients."

Mr Gwilliam said: "The new unit provides us with six new private rooms including an eye examination room, emergency treatment room and four consulting rooms, where before we only had two rooms and two curtained cubicles.

"The new reception is more private so conversations remain confidential, there is a spacious and comfortable waiting room and the unit has both male and female disabled toilets.

"As an upgrade from a cubbyhole in the old unit, staff now have a sitting/training room, a kitchen and dedicated changing facilities.

"We couldn't have had such a high quality unit without the generous support of the Friends of North Cambs Hospital."

Eileen Plater, chairman of the Friends of North Cambs Hospital said: "We were delighted to be able to contribute to this new unit."

Ann Carlisle, after whose late father the unit is named after, said: "The new unit is very impressive. I am delighted to be involved in the plans and that they were able to adapt the ward to provide such high quality, modern facilities which will benefit many patients.