How does the Friends of TMH contribute to improving patient experience? One of the primary ways is by raising funds for specific projects. The Friends has raised over £8 million to date to deliver many enhancements and extras for patients of Teddington Memorial Hospital operated by HRCH.
The NHS provides baseline funding for the hospital; however, the Friends’ fundraising endeavours offer the opportunity to deliver additional significant improvement projects. To support us, consider becoming a Member of the Friends.
Planned Wellbeing Garden revamp
We plan to achieve a hospital wellbeing garden revamp to deliver an attractive space for patients, staff, and visitors. We’re working right now on proposals, and with your generous help, we aim to provide a much-needed wellbeing haven.
Being able to get outside and enjoy the fresh air surrounded by a beautiful garden makes an enormous difference to staff health, the recovery of patients and wellbeing of visitors. Staff and patients can take a break in a natural environment, and visitors can spend time outside with patients in less stressful surroundings.
We have a hospital garden close to wards and clinics, ideally placed for staff, patients, and visitors to reach. We plan to achieve a complete garden revamp, which delivers an attractive space for staff, patients, and visitors to take a break or utilise in the course of their work.
This will significantly enhance patient and visitor wellbeing, improve staff mental health and help ensure our community retains our valuable health team.
Donate today. Together we will Give a Wellbeing Garden
Improved patient service at Reception Area
In 2018/19, through £168,000 of local community donations and fundraising, the Friends funded a redesign of the Reception Area at TMH.
The project comprised a complete redesign and refurbishment of the whole reception and waiting area.
A designated queuing walkway was introduced, and the reception desk was relocated. A bespoke design and build for the reception desk were implemented, including a lower counter to aid wheelchair users.
In addition, a new acoustic ceiling installation was installed designed to improve patient confidentiality.
The Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Councillor Nancy Baldwin, attended an official Unveiling Ceremony at the hospital.
This redesign makes an enormous difference in patient experience and confidentiality at the reception desk and in the seating area. Thus enabling a patient’s visit to be quicker, more comfortable and with added privacy.
Convenience and capability with new High-Tech X-ray Equipment
The Friends has funded a new High Tech Imaging Equipment (an X-ray machine) for TMH at the cost of £366,523.09. This vital state-of-the-art equipment further enhances the type of treatment patients receive and goes a long way to improving patient experience.
The Radiology department at Teddington Memorial Hospital provides facilities and staff to support referrals from GP surgeries, outpatient services, Teddington Hospital’s inpatients’ ward and Teddington Urgent Treatment Centre for both adults and children, seven days a week.
Other services provided by the department include ultrasound, echocardiography, and breast screening.
One local patient commented,
‘I used to have to go to either Kingston Hospital or even St George’s Tooting for breast screening, often with long waiting times. Now being able to pop along to Teddington Memorial Hospital for a routine appointment saves so much time and hassle, and everyone is so friendly and caring.’
This new equipment was only made possible by generous donations from the local Teddington community, enhancing the type of treatment patients receive at TMH.
Returning Home easier for patients with essential Food Vouchers
As well as significant capital projects, the Friends is involved in improving patient experience in more minor but essential ways.
The Friends has funded urgent provisions for patients returning home from a stay in TMH when they have no other options available.
Some patients who return home may not be in a position to travel to a shop for crucial food items or are unable to access money to pay for these goods.
The Friends understood that patients returning home would be easier by providing a small fund to cover basic necessities. This enables patients to settle back into their home environment more quickly and concentrate on their recovery.
Improving patient experience through continuous funding for enhancements
The objective of the Friends is to create a partnership between the TMH, local NHS, local organisations, and the local community, raising money to ensure continuous funding for enhancement to the provision of equipment and services in both a reactive and proactive way.
These examples show how large and small projects funded by the Friends from generous community donations and legacies contribute significantly to improving patient experience at TMH.
How can you help?
Donate, volunteer or become a Member of the Friends.
As a member, you can keep in touch with the Friends’ activities and projects to further improve facilities and equipment at the hospital. You will also be invited to attend and vote at AGM and EGM meetings. We look forward to your joining us.