We can not do what we do without you!
The Friends key activities are to raise funds for the patients and staff of Hammersmith Hospital. We use these funds to purchase equipment and many other items which improve the patient experience and working enviroment of the hospital's staff. We have been doing this for over 66 years. Currently there are 22 volunteers that are actively helping us to achieve this.
Each year the Friends choose an annual project from requests submitted by staff
OUR PROJECT FOR 2017
Mobile Ultrasound Scanning Equipment for teaching in the Vascular Department,
The stethoscope has been a vital piece of a doctor’s equipment for several centuries. Nowadays, however, we need to modernise and the way forward is for ultrasound to become the doctor’s stethoscope of the 21st. Century and beyond. This necessitates mobility.
The Vascular Department at the Hammersmith Hospital, through its vascular laboratory, is now training vital members of staff, both medical and non-medical, in mobile ultrasound scanning, including duplex. Training courses are currently being offered to junior doctors and to podiatrists in the first instance who work through Hammersmith Hospital and this vital training is then allowing clinicians to study patients at an early stage, before any treatment is offered, to see if they have any circulatory problems. Those at real risk are diabetics, patients with renal disease and others who may in the early stages have vague pains in the feet and legs. If circulatory problems are shown on mobile scanning the patients are referred to the vascular laboratory for more in-depth diagnostic tests and then on to the Vascular Surgical Department.
These mobile ultrasound scans will go a long way to prevent unnecessary harm and poor wound healing of foot wounds when interventions, however simple, are undertaken (eg in-growing toe-nails, bunions etc).
The mobile ultrasound will also in the near future be used for early soft-tissue diagnosis of ligament damage caused by trauma and then direct appropriate treatment at an earlier stage can be undertaken. This vital piece of equipment is necessary to offer the training.
The mobile equipment means the scans can easily be carried out at the bedside or in the out-patient clinic, as well as when the podiatrists have had the training they can use their skills on Hammersmith Hospital patients in the community. The mobile ultrasound scanner is to be based in the vascular laboratory at the Hammersmith Hospital and will be used there for vital training of appropriate members of staff.
Mrs. Harjinder Grewal, Miss Ann Smith and Mrs. Una Jefferies. Co-Annual Project Organisers 2017.
Our main sources of income are
Our busy Gift Shop, situated on the South Corridor, near to the main entrance. The gift shop carries a range of goods, including hand-knits for children and new borns. Opening Hours: Mon - Thurs 9am - 5pm; Fri 9am - 4pm
Our Flower shop in the Main Entrance stocks flowers and potted plants. Bouquets and hand ties can be made to order. Orders are welcome by telephone (020-8743-3496) or e-mail (friendshh@imperial.nhs.uk with subject of Flower Order). Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 11am - 4pm
Our Sale room, also situated on the South Corridor, near the Main Entrance, sells second hand donated goods, including quality clothing and toys. Opening Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 3pm
Donations for our sale room are always welcome, including good quality clothing, small household items, books, DVDs, puzzles and toys. Donations may be left in our Gift Shop and Flower Shop during opening hours, or by prior arrangement, at the Main Hospital Reception.
These shops are all manned by volunteers and managed by our Administrator.
We also hold two raffles annually, the Derby Draw in May/June, and the Grand Raffle in November. These are supported by patients, staff and visitors to the Hospital.