On 11th March 2024, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) Charity launched a £100,000 fundraising appeal to support environmental enhancements within the new Emergency Department (ED), Children’s Assessment Unit (CAU) and Assessment Treatment Centre (ATC) at Bassetlaw Hospital in Worksop.
The Bassetlaw Hospital Emergency Village appeal will support holistic improvements in patient comfort and stress relief, including an outdoor play area for children and specialist sensory toys, amongst much else.
The appeal has already raised over £17,000 through events such as a skydive and pyjama day, as well as from generous support from corporate sponsors, local community groups and individuals.
Dr Kirsty Edmondson Jones, Director of Innovation and Infrastructure at DBTH and Senior Responsible Officer for the project, said: “The enhancements and additions through this charitable appeal will greatly impact patient comfort for the duration of their stay, long or short. Therefore, I would strongly encourage the Bassetlaw community and beyond to get involved in helping us shape their future care and that of their families by contributing, or spreading word, about this very worthwhile campaign.”
In July 2023, colleagues at DBTH commenced a project, known as the Bassetlaw Emergency Village (BEV), to redevelop and enhance the ED, ATC, as well as relocate CAU and return 24 / 7 paediatric inpatient care to the site.
In tandem with the ongoing construction project, the charitable appeal aims to fund a long list of projects focused on ‘comfort’ and ‘play’ to enhance the three brand-new areas.
Alongside funding various projects for children and young people, donations from local people will also support a number of projects for adults, such as TVs in all waiting rooms and paediatric areas and throughout the Assessment Treatment Centre to help patients feel right at home.
One generous donor to the appeal is Midlands-based company, Archus, specialists in healthcare infrastructure.
Contributing a generous £2,100, Archus chose specifically to fund three items for the appeal: a light box in the Paediatric Resuscitation Area and two tractors for the brand-new outdoor play area.
Duncan Batty, Head of Charity for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Charity said: “Your support will help elevate care at Bassetlaw, ensuring patients not only receive excellent treatment but also comfort and relief during their stay. Donations will create a welcoming environment, especially for children by providing toys and spaces to ease anxiety, and for adults by offering distractions in areas like resuscitation and waiting rooms.”
To find out more about the appeal, or to make a donation, please visit the charity website www.dbthcharity.co.uk/bassetlaw-appeal/.