By Urgent hospital appeal for vital new volunteers after hundreds forced to stay at home
An army of ‘younger’ volunteers is needed for Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals after hundreds of vital helpers are being forced to stay away due to Covid.
Out of team of 400 volunteers across Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole hospitals, only a handful of people currently remain.
They are helping to guide patients round the site at Scunthorpe.
An appeal has now been launched to attract essential new help.
Julie Dobbs, pictured, voluntary services manager at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG), said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted on our volunteering numbers as a large proportion of our volunteers are aged over 60 and the Government guidelines class anyone over this age as clinically vulnerable.
“So for their safety we have asked them to suspend coming to our hospitals.”
The pandemic means they may not be able to return for many months.
Julie said: “I am therefore appealing for younger people who may have some time on their hands to come in and help at their local hospital.”
She said the need for additional help was especially essential at the moment, as the Trust was seeing increasing numbers of staff having to self-isolate which is putting extra pressure on the remaining workforce.
Julie said: “We are already redeploying some corporate staff who provide back office functions on to our front line to support clinical staff by undertaking administrative duties.
“However, our ‘green’ wards – those that are coronavirus free – also need some additional support, which is where the volunteers will come in and help.”
Julie said the Trust really needed people to help out at Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals, and it could just be a few hours per week, to a day here and there – whatever would suit individuals. It could also be weekdays, or weekends to fit in with volunteers.
Anyone from the age of 17 and above can volunteer. They would have to undergo a DBS check and be cleared by occupational health, as well as pass the Trust’s staff Covid risk assessment. Full training will be provided, and they will be supported by the voluntary services team.
Julie said: “Simple tasks will help to make a significant difference especially as we move towards winter. It will also improve our patient and staff experience and help to keep families in touch with each other.”
Anyone interested in volunteering, or who would like further information, should contact Julie Dobbs by emailing: Julie.dobbs@nhs.net or ring 03033 305577.
