Stroud Hospitals League of Friends – Achievements

An outstanding year, thanks to local people

spent in 2018 on local healthcare by Stroud Hospitals League of Friends

Summary of achievements since 2000

  • Refurbishing the Operating Theatre and state-of-the-art equipment for surgery, including an LED headlight system
  • Portable Ultrasound scanner for the Maternity Hospital, Ultrasound scanner probe for the Breast Care Service, and the latest Ultrasound equipment for patients with liver, gall bladder, kidney and gynaecological conditions
  • Major investment for Endoscopy Unit, resulting in JAG Accreditation
  • Significant funds to update birthing room to very high standards at Maternity, and funding a day room there, plus Skytiles (and for Endoscopy) and jaundice monitors
  • Establishing a Complex Leg Wound service (for leg ulcers) in 2016
  • Providing an overnight stay room for relatives of terminally ill patients
  • Refurbishing the Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIIU) with various equipment including three portering chairs and a plaster cutting saw
  • Providing a Dementia Memory Room at Stroud Hospital
  • Funding free respite care at Horsfall House, Minchinhampton
  • Parallel bars and couches for physiotherapy, and equipment for Beeches Green Dental Service
  • OCT machine to photo the back of the eye and pachymeter and tonometer for use in the outpatient eye clinics
  • INR Star machine to test patients’ blood for coagulation
  • Specialist ‘anti-fall’ beds, pressure relieving cushions, surgery trolleys, and riser chairs for patient assessment
  • Training ‘dummy’ for nursing procedures
  • Pre- and post-natal singing and yoga projects at the Maternity Hospital
  • Gardening and Men’s Shed Projects at Weavers’ Croft
  • Support for a specially adapted patient transport vehicle

Our history

Stroud General Hospital originates from a dispensary founded in 1750, followed by an infirmary in George Street, moving to a General Hospital in Bedford Street in 1835, with the current Victorian Hospital opening in 1875. Long before the formation of the NHS and League of Friends in 1948, there had been a tradition of community support, with health services being maintained by gifts from mill owners and other Stroud residents.

Since those early days, the League of Friends has gone from strength to strength, from initially providing little ‘extras’, as funds increased, to supporting major building projects such as the much needed modern operating theatre in 1973. The League has grown further and since 2000 alone we have provided more than £3.5 million for buildings, equipment and services, alongside successfully campaigning against closure of the hospitals.

Remember: If your GP refers you for tests, X-rays or to see a consultant, ask if these services are available at Stroud