Airedale NHS Foundation Trust Critical Care Unit has recently received a stretcher chair, costing over £5,300 and funded by both Rotary Clubs in Skipton, to enhance patient rehabilitation.
The chair was donated earlier this month and was presented by Andrew Gold, President of Skipton Rotary Club and Chair of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust; Phil Brown, President of Skipton Craven Rotary Club; and Brian Stott, Rotary’s Assistant District Governor for Dales Group.
The stretcher chair is used for patient rehabilitation at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, particularly patients on the Critical Care Unit and those who cannot get out of bed.
Andrew Gold, President of Skipton Rotary Club and Chair of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, says:
“Rotary in Skipton thanks all those who contributed to the fundraising for this stretcher chair which makes a real difference to the Trust’s patients and its people.”
Freya Sledding, Therapy Service Manager at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, says:
“At the height of the pandemic we recognised that we didn’t have access to enough high level kit for patients who were from intensive care. At that time our occupancy was high and we had extended beds. The acute therapists were keen to progress the patients on with their rehab at the first possible opportunity.”
She continues:
“I would like to add what a difference this chair has made firstly to the early rehab we can provide but secondly on our workforce. I have heard many positive comments from excited therapists who see this need and can utilise it in their patient care.”
Tom Woodcock, Senior Physiotherapist at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, says:
“Colleagues on ward 16 have used this piece of kit with a countless number of patients already, contributing to their overall recovery, speeding up their rehabilitation and ultimately reducing their length of stay in hospital. It is an invaluable piece of kit.”
Airedale Hospital and Community Charity thanks both Rotary Clubs in Skipton for their generous donation.
(Photographed L-R: Tom Woodcock, Jessica May, Phil Brown, Brian Stott, Andrew Gold, Henry Illingworth, Andrew Phillips, Emily Sale, Tara Hawkins)
