ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ

On this date in 1948, the National Health Service began, so today we are celebrating the momentous occasion of its 75th birthday.  ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Foundation Trust CEO Stacey Hunter said, "Having worked for the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ for 36 years, I remain exceptionally proud of everything our colleagues deliver for patients. The ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ is all about the people who work in it, who choose to dedicate their time and expertise to support our communities at some of their happiest times, but also in some of their most difficult times. It has been a challenging few years, but despite this, our teams continue to give their best, and every single week people write to me to tell me of the fantastic care and support they have received in our hospital. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere other than in the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, upholding the principle of care free at the point of need for everyone, and I look forward to it continuing to thrive for the next 75 years. It is one of the finest institutions in our country."

The special service being held by ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Foundation Trust and ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Cathedral to mark the 75th anniversary of the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ and 80 years since the US Army opened a hospital in Odstock on 26th June at 5:30pm will include a reading of a commissioned work by playwright Paula B Stanic. Paula’s work was featured at the ‘We Reflect’ service held at the Cathedral in March 2022. Everyone is welcome to attend. In creating this piece, Paula was particularly interested in the volunteers who work in different roles around the hospital, including Odstock Radio which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Paula is pictured above.

ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Foundation Trust and ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Cathedral are holding a special service to mark the 75th anniversary of the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ and 80 years since the US Army opened a hospital in Odstock. The service, which starts at 5:30pm on Monday 26th June, is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and join health and care staff to celebrate this significant milestone of our National Health Service, which was founded on 5th July in 1948. This ecumenical service is open to all communities in South Wiltshire, North and East Dorset and South West Hampshire and warm welcome will be given to all faiths and those with none. Pictured above is ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Hospital's Poet in Residence Martin Figura reading from one of his poems during the 'We Reflect' Service held at the Cathedral in March 2022.

From Thursday 4th May 2023, visitors to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ District Hospital are once again no longer required to wear face masks, unless it is their personal preference to do so. These changes have been made in line with national guidance on the mandated use of face masks in healthcare settings and reducing numbers of COVID-19 positive cases. However, to continue to protect those who are most vulnerable and at high-risk, they ask that the wearing of face masks continues where immuno-compromised patients are treated. Please read more for full details.

Each of our Directors occasionally spend time shadowing staff in services across the hospital as part of their ‘Executive back to the floor’ sessions. They also blog about their visits. This blog is from Judy Dyos, our Chief Nursing Officer, who visited colleagues in our Radiology Team, including Charlotte Castle (pictured here).