News from Stamford Hospital
Focus on John Van Geest ward John Van Geest ward based at Stamford Hospital has seen several changes since it first opened. Now the 22 bed, male and female ward has a primary purpose for patient rehabilitation and works closely with sister site Peterborough City Hospital. Patients, who live in the in Stamford, Bourne, Rutland and the Lincolnshire area can be transferred across from Peterborough from any specialty, once they are stable, to Stamford, so that they can be closer to their family and friends. Whilst the ward is available for any adult, the majority of patients are over 70. Each patient on the ward has their own room and there is a lounge and dining facility, which recreates a normal home-like balance to get patients used to being back in their own home environment. Natalie Munslow, Ward Manager for John Van Geest, said: “We are part of the acute Trust, just a little bit further down the road and once patients are transferred across to us, there is that continuity of care between the two sites. We have a friendly and welcoming ward, which I think is evident as soon as you walk in.”
JVG Ward Manager, Natalie Munslow and her team greet patients with a warm welcome
Maggie Toon remembers 46 years working at Stamford Hospital
Staff nurse celebrates 46 years at Stamford Hospital
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staff nurse at Stamford Hospital has clocked up an amazing 46 years’ service this year, after going into nursing at the age of 16. Maggie Toon, 62, from Easton on the Hill, near Stamford, started her training at Stamford Hospital in 1968 and has only stepped away from her role on a temporary basis to have her two children.
Maggie says many things have changed in the past four decades, not least of all the uniform, which included a starched white hat and apron. She and her colleagues would have to wash stainless steel bed pans by hand and pack round cylinder drums with gauze and cotton wool to create a sterilising unit for surgical equipment – a far cry from the disposable bed pans of today and hi-tech sterilizing units.
Stamford Redevelopment update The updated business case to redevelop Stamford Hospital was presented to the Trust Board of Directors at the end of February. This presentation to the Trust Board was a key milestone in the redevelopment programme and took place just as ‘The Pulse’ went to print. The board members agreed to the details laid out in the business case and we will be able to forge ahead with the next stage of the plans to improve the hospital which, ultimately, will mean we can provide a range of services that are vital to the healthcare needs of patients in South Lincolnshire and beyond.
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Stamford Hospital - building towards the future