The Nightingale Macmillan Unit

Welcome to the Nightingale Macmillan Unit

Royal Derby Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby, DE22 3NE

HISTORY OF THE 'FRIENDS'

Early in 1990 thought was being given to complementing the Nightingale Macmillan Unit by the formation of the 'Friends' and as such a steering committee was instigated.
A public meeting was held on the 25th April in the Queen's Hall, London Road, Derby, to consider the formation of the Friends of the Nightingale. The Friends had the full support of the Southern Derbyshire Health Authority the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and the Nightingale Macmillan Unit. As a result an application was put forward to the Charities Commission which was accepted and we became a registered charity on the 24th October 1990.

THE DISSOLVING OF THE 'FRIENDS'

The constitution, whilst allowing for a committee of eleven this number has diminished over the years and whilst we were able to attract new committee members along the way it did not compensate for the number of members lost. Our numbers reduced further with the move from the Unit in London Road, Derby, onto the site of the Royal Derby Hospital.

The majority of our fund raising was due to the generosity of the people of Derby and the surrounding areas by donating items to us from which we were able to have table tops at fairs, supermarkets, garden centres etc., raffles, tombolas, prize draws, occasional auctions etc. We were fortunate at London Road because there were storage facilities available to us whereas space at the new hospital is at a premium with no convenient storage facilities.

In view of the above, the 'Friends' relucantly decided that the charity could not survive in this manner and notified both the management of the Nightingale Macmillan Unit and the Charity Commission of the decision.

The 'Friends' had it's last fund raising event on Saturday 5th December 2009 which was the Christmas Concert with Derwent Brass and the Dalesman Male Voice Choir, which as usual was a sell out and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A sad evening in some ways but a very enjoyable sentimental evening for everyone.

OBJECTIVE OF THE 'FRIENDS'

Our objectives have always been, to raise public awareness of all the excellent service that is given to both patients and carers by the professionals and volunteers at the Unit and to raise funds in order that additional equipment and services can be purchased with the aim of improving the quality of life of those cared for at the unit.

The 'Friends' are very thankful to all those individuals, companies and organisations who have fundraised for the 'Friends' and even chosen us as their 'Charity of the Year'.

Organisations have donated their services to us from which we have been able to raise funds or they have raised funds at events on our behalf by donating the proceeds of their efforts.

We have also received individual donations and donations in memory of loved ones for which we have been very grateful.

ITEMS PURCHASED

Items purchased, in the past, have been endless and included specialised electronically controlled profiling beds, nebulisers to aid breathing, syringe drivers for administering medication, compression pumps, wheelchairs, hoists and handling slings. In very recent times we have provided wardrobes and lockers, new bed cubicle and window curtains and also individual patient tv's for the In-patient area. In the Day patient area we have funded specialised chairs. The 'Friends' have also funded the refurbishment of the Complementary Therapy Room and the rear patio garden area.

Now that we are at the Royal Derby Hospital we are involved with funding the enhancement of the environment of the area that the Unit now occupies, to the benefit of all those attending the Unit and their carers. This has included, paintings in all departments, planters in various areas, ceramics in the corridors, glass panels, a television for each individual patient, internet facilities available, furniture and paintings for the chapel, aquarium and wall graphics in reception etc. A recent major project has been a 'Sensor Care Falls Prevention System' for the In Patient Area and we are pleased to say that a donation was received to fund the entire system for which we were very grateful.

Although the Nightingale Macmillan Unit provides an excellent level of care for the patients, additional and/or updated equpment and services are always needed.

YOUR SUPPORT IS OF SPECIAL VALUE TO US
Donations can be made directly to the Nightingale Macmillan Unit.

Please make cheques payable to :

NMU PATIENTS FUND 14005

and Send to the following address :

NMU Charity Co-Ordinator
Nightingale Macmillan Unit
Royal Derby Hospital
Uttoxeter Road
Derby
DE22 3NE

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