In January 2007 the branch provided the Macmillan Unit of Christchurch Hospital with £9397.38 to refurbish a room for use by someone living with Motor Neurone Disease. This amount covered the purchase of a special chair, bed and toilet.

Unfortunately there were delays and it was not until December 2007 when the Chairman, Chris Anderson, and Secretary, Audrey Beall, were able to visit the Unit to see the chair and bed in use. The “Echo” were there to see the presentation and a photo later appeared in the newspaper.

Further delays were experienced, but we are pleased to report that in November 2008 the Wet Room was opened. This has a shower, toilet and huge warm air dryer. On this occasion Audrey was accompanied by six members of the local Committee and Jill Wright, Senior Occupational Therapist, for the tape cutting ceremony. To the left of the photograph is Heather Rogers, Senior Clinical Leader of Specialist Palliative Care Services of the Macmillan Unit, who said “We are grateful to all members of the East Dorset & New Forest branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association for their support. This equipment really does make a huge difference to the MND patient care we are able to offer”.

 

 

 

 

 

This photograph is reproduced by kind permission of the Bournemouth Daily Echo.