STROUD Hospitals League of Friends held its AGM at Stroud Subscription Rooms on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 with the President, Dr Roy Lamb in the Chair.

The special guest was Dr Jeff Meecham-Jones (far left), Consultant in Thoracic Medicine who conducts clinics at Stroud General Hospital.

Dr Meecham-Jones gave an extremely informative presentation on asbestosis and other asbestos related diseases.

Many staff from Stroud General Hospital and representatives from 2gether NHS Foundation Trust and Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust attended including Helen Acock (middle), Senior Sister, as well as volunteers, committee members, members of the public and Stroud MP, Neil Carmichael.

David Miller, Chairman of the League of Friends, thanked the League of Friends volunteers and members for their fine support, hard work and dedication throughout the year which has enabled the League to spend over £60,000 in 2013 on equipment and other purchases to help supplement and enhance the care provided by the staff at the Stroud Hospitals.

Items purchased include a total of 44 Pippa noticeboards for each individual patient bed at a cost of £2,088 and three Stryker Prime X-ray stretchers costing £10,593 for Stroud General Hospital and a Birthing Simulator costing £2,499 and washer dryer at £744 for Stroud Maternity Hospital.

At the meeting the League also agreed to the purchase of a Hearing Test and Hearing Aid fitting Aurical AUD/REM machine costing £8,631 for the Audiology and Hearing Aid Clinics at Stroud General Hospital.

The Trustees of the Friends stressed that it is extremely important for the people of our community to use our local hospitals, Stroud Maternity and Stroud General Hospital, and our new leaflet, distributed to over 31,000 households earlier this year highlights the range of services at the Stroud Hospitals and encourages people to choose to use these services when they need consultations or treatment.

The annual hospital service takes place at Holy Trinity Church, Stroud on Sunday, October 12 at 6.30pm when the preacher will be Revd. Dr. Simon Topping – Minister for the Methodist Churches in the Stroud Area.

Everyone is invited to come along and will be warmly welcomed.