Donating To A Hospital (Not Money)

[trt]

I want to give a hospital ward I was in for a month with a broken hip, pneumonia etc, a new standing electric remote controlled fan.

The reason for this was because it was summer, there was no A/C and even with the windows open it was like an oven, and there was a shortage of fans.

The staff were lovely and kept apologizing even though they were feeling the heat, in more ways than one.

Do you think I could ask the hospital that I would like this for the ward I was in only, and not just used anywhere?

[EcclesCake]

I know that it is accepted practice in some hospitals.

Best speak to the hospital concerned.

[dannyk13]

Contact the hospital secretary.

[Sqad]

Lovely thought and they would be delighted to accept.
Either contact the hospital secretary as Danny has suggested or have a chat with the ward sister.

[Elina]

That's a kind thought trt, as other's have said though, I would check with the hospital.

[HansUrbancka]

I feel sure your offer would be accepted and very much appreciated.

Personally I would contact the Ward Sister and, if necessary, let Sister have a chat with the Hospital Secretary. It might be a way of ensuring that the ward concerned has sole use of the fan.

Hans.

[albaqwerty]

That's a good idea Hans.

I've been visiting on, say, ward 28 and there was, let's say, a fan with a label on it saying 'property of ward 26'

I think things like this will go where they are most needed to suit patients needs.

[2sp_]

Speaking from experience (I used to be a Buyer for a NHS Trust), you may be better/easier donating money to the ward under the understanding that they will buy a fan with it.

All electrical equipment needs to be processed through a Hospital's Estates Department. They need to test and log all equipment for maintenance purposes. The ward would also need to ensure that the fan can be cleaned easily for infection control purposes.

I know you would rather just give them a fan, but I have seen instances where patients and relatives have donated items that then get lost in the red tape of the NHS and never actually end up on the ward itself.

It is a lovely idea though, I hope you find a way to help out future patients!

[HansUrbancka]

Cheers Alba. :-)

@2sp_ I didn't realise that one could donate money to an individual ward. However, I still think that trt's first move should be a few words with the Ward Sister.

Hans.

[Peter Pedant]

2sp is correcticus

The fan will almost certainly be classed as a medical machine and therefore has to be passed by the electrical dept of the

You werent in Hope Hosp - ward L2 were you ? The summer I was there the temp was normally 38'c - and so we all brought in our own.

Mine was a little frayed but gave up the ghost and I got/was bought by my relatives a spanking new one, and that very day I was rewarded with a vizeet from the hospital electrician who seemed very interested in the state of the flex - and passed it....and inspected no one else's....

and that was the sole intervention of the electrical dept for that week.

The ward / charge nurse should have access to the ward charity funds - DONT contact the hospital secreary who will be only too pleased to give you the account number they use for charitable coffee for administrators and their v important fluffy carpet fund and plush curtains fund.

[albaqwerty]

Isn't it such a shame that the generosity and kind thoughts of patients and relatives gets corrupted by red tape?
:-(

[EcclesCake]

I agree with 2sp and the need for stuff to be entered onto the asset register and have the necessary PAT testing but in my experience Peter is talking utter Botox.

A young relative was in ICU for a considerable time. The family had the opportunity to observe that there was a need for fans to cool patients, visitors and staff. When the young relative died the collection at the crematorium was declared a fund for fans. This was done in discussion with the hospital and they are still used on the same ward.

The collection raised enough money to buy 9 Dyson Airblades.

Each hospital will interpret the rules to fit.

[Dee Sa]

when a friend's mother died after a long hospital spell, they bought the ward a small ice cube making machine for the patient's drinks.

[HansUrbancka]

^^^ I think there is more red Tape in the NHS than there are white bandages.

Hans.

[Greedyfly]

I'm bit sure about your local TRT but my local hospital will not accept fans that have blades due to infection prevention. Bladed fans can only be used in office spaces. The fancy VERY expensive fans they have are Dyson fans. It's a lovely idea but I suspect they won't be allowed to use it.

[trt]

I called the hospital and have had to send off an e-mail request to some department, but they were very pleased to be offered one.
Thanks for the help folks!

## It's a lovely idea but I suspect they won't be allowed to use it. ##

The few I saw in my ward were just household fans Greedyfly,, obviously with wire guards on.

[Greedyfly]

That's very surprising TRT. Having spent a lot if time in a few different hospitals with hear problems they all have the fancy Dyson blameless fans due to infection control. Glad you can help!

[gness]

LGH used ordinary bladed fans for MrG.....mind you they were filthy so each time a dirty one ended up on his locker I took it home, dismantled it and cleaned it thoroughly.......
I cleaned lots of fans over the years and was never once stopped for leaving the hospital carrying one......☺

There is info online about the use of fans in hospitals....think they tested them in pigs in barns though......x