Saving inpatient beds at Sidmouth Victoria Hospital – and increasing them from 16 to 24 – meant its comforts fund can now start planning for the future, its chairman told its annual meeting.
The plans included an ambitious sensory garden and the purchase of new cooling appliances.
Sidmouth Victoria Hospital Comforts Fund chairman Graham Vincent said: “It has been very uncomfortable for the patients and staff during the summer. The ward has a few normal fans, which are always in use, but are a source of infection and also very difficult to clean properly.”
The trustees decided to buy 20 Dyson air purifiers at a cost of £430 each. Because they do not have blades, the units are easier to keep clean.
The therapeutic garden will be situated at the back of the hospital overlooking the rugby field.
Guest speaker at the AGM was Dr Gill Ryall from Sidmouth Hospiscare. She said the town’s demographics put it right at the forefront of care innovation.
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