South Tyneside Hospital '˜Friends' take the sting out of blood tests

A donation from The League of Friends is improving comfort for patients having blood tests at South Tyneside District Hospital.
Margaret Whittington, of the League of Friends, sitting in one of the new chairs, with phlebotomy manager Kin Dailly, centre. and League members and supportersMargaret Whittington, of the League of Friends, sitting in one of the new chairs, with phlebotomy manager Kin Dailly, centre. and League members and supporters
Margaret Whittington, of the League of Friends, sitting in one of the new chairs, with phlebotomy manager Kin Dailly, centre. and League members and supporters

The phlebotomy team were delighted when the League members agreed to buy three new chairs - costing a total of almost £2,000.

Phlebotomy manager Kim Dailly said: “We can’t thank the League of Friends enough. The chairs are specifically designed for patients having blood tests as they have adjustable arm rests and there is an option to lie down if they feel nervous or faint.

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“Having blood taken can be a stressful procedure and the chairs are having a positive effect on our patients’ experience. They tell us how comfortable the new chairs are and how relaxed they feel when sitting in them.”

South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust’s phlebotomy team provide a service for the wards at South Tyneside Hospital and operate a clinic in the Outpatients department, where they see patients referred by GPs and hospital consultants. They also run four community clinics in South Tyneside.

The League of Friends is celebrating its 70th birthday this year - an anniversary it shares with the NHS, which was also founded in 1948.

It is one of the oldest NHS voluntary groups, providing patients and staff with extra comforts and equipment.

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Over the decades, its volunteers have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds.

In the last decade alone, they have raised more than £300,000.

Most of the money raised comes from the League’s shop in the main entrance of South Tyneside District Hospital’s Ingham Wing.