Life CHANGING

The New Victoria Hospital is launching a major community initiative to celebrate 125 years

Acharity-based independent hospital in Kingston-UponThames is giving away £125,000 worth of free medical care to patients in around the local community to celebrate turning 125 years in June 2023. New Victoria Hospital, founded in 1898, has launched its Community Initiative to celebrate its 125-year anniversary. The initiative will support the wider patient community and anyone in the UK with a compelling story.

As New Victoria Hospital has been a long advocate of community support, the Hospital aims to continue its philanthropic ethos by inspiring others to highlight stories, accounts, and people, that have triumphed over challenges despite health conditions. The Hospital has allocated £125,000 for selected applicants in need of treatment for a health condition. This will include receiving free consultations, screenings, scans, treatment (surgical and non-surgical) and any necessary post-op treatment to help improve their quality of life.

CEO David Marshall says: “New Victoria Hospital was initially founded as a charity by a group of doctors and GPs who wanted to support its community by o ering free treatment to patients as an independent hospital. Since its foundation, the Hospital has o ered a considerable number of pro bono treatments to support the local community. It is now one of the most respected hospitals in the independent sector which still has maintained its charitable arm. The hospital acknowledges that many people are currently facing health struggles for which they are awaiting treatment and are finding it di cult to access the support they need. In the spirit of ‘building together’, New Victoria Hospital launches its Community Initiative to be a lifeline for many patients keen to get back to optimal health through necessary treatment, care, and attention. It has been a challenging few years, so we want to continue to demonstrate our commitment to the wider patient community who have shown resilience, generosity, and care to others despite their own health struggles”.

The Community Initiative is particularly focused on helping those who have struggled to access life-changing operations for an extended period and those facing di culties in accessing the necessary resources or finances to improve their health. The hospital is particularly keen to hear from individuals with inspiring life stories to share, encompassing narratives of triumph over adversity, or demonstrations of resilience. Applicants can apply for themselves or for a friend or family member with their consent. Applications will be evaluated from a clinical and ethical perspective by an appointed selection committee made up of local community ambassadors, members of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, hospital sta , hospital board directors and The Victoria Foundation trustees, the hospital's parent charity. To be considered, applications must be submitted by 11 September via the New Victoria Hospital website.

For more information or questions on the Community Initiative, email probono@ newvictoria.co.uk. Or scan the QR code, left.