Modbury Hospital volunteers have been supporting the Hospital since it opened in 1973. Currently 100 volunteers give their time tirelessly supporting patients, visitors and their families.

At the beginning of this year on the 18th February 2019, the Modbury volunteers joined the Lyell McEwin Volunteer Association. Thanks to Linda Walker for working closely with LMVA in assisting with the transfer of all volunteer details onto LMVA’s volunteer database.

Modbury Volunteers are integral team members of the following patient care areas

Palliative Care Geriatric Evaluation Management (GEM)

Rehabilitation (inc SPARC) Accident & Emergency (A&E)

Outpatients Department (OPD) Patient Transport

Modbury Volunteers also support patients, their families and visitors by providing the following services

Front Desk Enquiries TV/Paper Service

Library Trolley Pack Preparation

IPad Surveys Administration Support

A robust administrative system is now in place to support the managing of the volunteer team throughout the Hospital. This includes a specific volunteer management database, generated sign in and sign out system and the implementation of team meetings which draws together volunteers working in the same or similar areas. This enables accurate information to be passed on and enables volunteers to have a voice in the work they do. These meetings are minuted and those minutes distributed.

All existing volunteers had the opportunity to transfer or add different areas to the time they volunteer at the Hospital. Several volunteers have opted to change roles after working for many years in the same area and some have requested that they have some new experiences by taking on additional roles.

Sue Walsh has been working closely with Nurse Unit Managers in regards to the requirements of the Modbury Hospital in terms of volunteer hours and roles. These meetings have resulted in clarifying existing service needs and ways volunteers are able to support patients and their loved ones. It has also been beneficial in identifying and exploring new initiatives that add value to patient care.

Community support

Golden Grove Lions continue to show their support by supplying the emergency packs for patients containing comb, tooth brush and toothpaste, shampoo and soap for those patients who have been admitted unexpectedly.

Thanks also to Tim Kelly who has supported the new Library Trolley service by supply books and magazines that are distributed by our volunteers Monday to Friday. The Library trolley, a new initiative, visits patients/family and friends throughout the hospital offering them reading material, colouring and puzzle solving activities. Without Tim’s contribution our library would be light on for choice.

Sue Walsh