NEWS ROUND-UP
50 years of NGH critical care Two years ago our intensive therapy unit (ITU) and high dependency unit (HDU) joined forces to form a combined critical care department. Now in May 2017 we are delighted to be celebrating 50 years of critical care at Northampton General Hospital. On Friday 19 May between 2-4pm we are hosting an afternoon tea for former patients and relatives at The Barns at Hunsbury Hill. Anybody who wishes to attend and join in the celebrations please contact Emma Harvey, preferably by email (emma.harvey@ngh.nhs.uk) or on 01604 545542. On the same day and at the same venue there will be a celebratory evening party for staff from 7pm to midnight. There will be complimentary
drink, street food, dancing and entertainment, with tickets at £40. If any staff member, past or present, wishes to attend, please contact Lindsey Carman at lindseyacarman@gmail.com or on 07759 926609. If anyone has memories they wish to share,
photos for the day, or any information about the history of Critical Care in Northampton we would love to hear from you to make the day as memorable as possible. We would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Lisa Swan at lisa.swan@ngh.nhs.uk
Celia and Maggie go the extra mile
Tony Croft presents Celia Penn with her award
20 ❘ Insight
Congratulations to Celia Penn and Maggie Hayes, the first two winners of the Friends of NGH Extra Mile Award. Friends’ chairman Tony Croft has introduced the new award for those volunteers who have made an outstanding contribution to the charity, far beyond the normal day to day effort that all the volunteers give to the hospital. Tony said: “Celia works in our shop on Hospital Street and brightens the day for anyone entering. Quick of wit, sometimes bordering on the cheeky, she makes sure there is never a dull moment! However she receives her award for something else. Over ten years ago she suggested she could do a monthly quiz to raise money for our charity and has now raised a staggering £17,000. “The second award goes to our previous chair Maggie Hayes, but not for her excellent work in that role. It is for her terrific efforts in
fundraising. In all our fundraising activities she can be found at the front, baking all night, carrying out presentations. Sometimes we have to stop her doing too much!” Celia, who’s been a Friends’ volunteer for 18 years, said that within that time she had had the pleasure and privilege to work alongside some inspirational people. She said: “I have made lifelong friends and with my quiz sheets every month, and hope to have made a difference to lots of people’s lives in the process. NGH were amazing when I needed them during my battle with illness and to be able to continue giving my time back is the very least I can do.” She added: “I have not expected anything in return, so to be awarded the EMA is just wonderful and a real honour. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and I will continue to give my services for as long as I possibly can.”