An Absolutely Fabulous Open Day!
Joanne Lumley is special guest at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's Open Day on Saturday 14 June had a very special guest, Joanna Lumley, who helped bring in crowds of more than 2,000 people.
The Open Day, the seventh annual event held at the main hospital site, provides an opportunity for local people to visit the hospital, hear more about services and meet with staff who deliver healthcare to patients every day.
This year’s event also celebrated the hospital’s 21st birthday.
The Fulham Road hospital chose "Keeping you well" as theme of this year's event, offering advice to visitors on staying healthy and thus staying out of hospital. On offer during the day were health MOTs where visitors could get a quick and easy check-up and advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle, with everything from help to stop smoking to tips on eating well.
Every year, one of the most popular parts of the open day is the Teddy Bear Hospital where children can bring their favourite toys in for a health check-up from our team of Junior Doctors.
There were also lots of other fun and educational activities for children and families in the new children’s outpatients setting on the first floor.
Joanna enjoyed a tour of many of the information stands and was interviewed by Hospital Radio so that patients unable to leave their wards on Open Day could have some direct contact with her.
She said: " I am delighted to be invited to attend Open Day to support Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on its 21st birthday.
" The NHS is a vital service, and I wanted to have the opportunity to recognise the wonderful staff who care for our communities 24/7. I shall be seeing plans for the £10m redevelopment of the A&E department, visiting the new paediatric outpatients department and the hospital school.
"Open Day really does highlight the diversity of care available through our cherished NHS."
The hospital's charities also had their own stands providing information about their latest fundraising activities. A particular focus was the Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity’s Emergency Department appeal to raise £600,000 to help the hospital transform the environment for patients, for families and for staff.
Tony Bell, Chief Executive, said: "We had more 60 stands on the day manned by members of staff, many of whom came in on their day off to talk through the work their teams do at the hospital and provide advice to local people about how they can help themselves lead healthier lives which is more preferable than them needing a hospital visit.
" I am always overwhelmed by the efforts individuals make to attend Open Day and showcase the excellent care they provide to their patients on a daily basis."
Foundation Trust Governors, who sponsor the annual event, were on hand to speak about the work they do representing patients and the local community. If you are interested in becoming more involved and finding out more about Chelsea and Westminster Hospital you can sign up to become a Foundation Trust member. Find out more about joining the trust here
June 18, 2014
