Project Pod at Ellesmere Port Cottage Hospital is off to a great start as the latest organisation to benefit from an excellent safety performance.
Between them, Essar Oil (UK) and Ainscough Crane Hire raised £2,667 which was presented to some of the hospital’s front line workers last week.
The donation will be used to enhance the care of dementia patients at the facility and was the third of sixth presentations which will be made by Stanlow and its business partners.
Project Pod – run jointly by the Pioneer and Ellesmere Port Hospital – aims to turn under used ward lounges into attractive areas that contribute too patient stimulation, wellbeing and happiness and we are calling the improved areas ‘memory and relaxation pods’.
Bryn Jones, turnaround and project HSE co-ordinator at Essar Oil (UK), said: “During our recent turnaround (shutdown) we increased our workforce on site by an additional 2,000 people to help us complete maintenance and project works. We reward an outstanding safety performance during turnaround by making money available to local charities.
“Supported by our business partners, this is a great way that Essar Oil (UK) can support projects in the local community.
“Having had the chance to visit the hospital last week, it was clear to see the passion and commitment demonstrated by all the staff there which will no doubt help make the project successful. We are looking forward to seeing how the project progresses in the new year.”
Lesley Woodhead, corporate and events fundraising manager, said: “This is a great contribution and we look forward to showing our new friends at Essar Oil (UK) the pod they have funded.
“I would love to hear from other companies and organisations that would like to support the project or do some fundraising over Christmas for us.
“Individuals can also get involved and make a donation using the coupon, all donations will really make a difference to local people not only at Christmas but for the future as well.”
Women believe memory pods will be a big benefit
Two women at Ellesmere Port Hospital believe the introduction of the memory pods will make things even better at the hospital.
Christine Pollard from Great Sutton has the unusual virus viral miositis and has spent three weeks at the Countess of Chester Hospital, some of that time in intensive care, before moving to Ellesmere Port for rehabilitation.
She is hoping to be home for Christmas but says if she isn’t then that’s for her own good but she is determined to get back to her ‘old self’ and run around after her grandson Ethan.
She has had a lot of care and attention from husband Ken and her son Mathew and his wife Catherine.
Christine said: “When you are in hospital for a long time, however good the staff are, you do get tired of seeing everything ‘clinical’.
“I think the memory pods would be a good idea to make the hospital more of a home from home for the patients.”
Brenda Hilder has also had a long stay in hospital after breaking her ankle.
This is her sixth week and like Christine she is looking forward to going home even though staff have been very good to her.
She cared for her mum who had dementia and is very supportive of the pods because of her own experience, knowing that familiarity can bring some comfort to patients who may be distressed.
She said: “It will be five years on Christmas Day since my mum died but I can remember clearly caring for her.”
