Patients staying in one of our hospitals this weekend will be able to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee from their beds.
Those unable to celebrate the historic milestone with family and friends at home will be able to watch all the television coverage from the comfort of their hospital bed thanks to a generous donation from both the Grimsby and Scunthorpe Hospital League of Friends (LoF).
The two voluntary organisations have come together to pay just under £2.5k to cover bedside television costs from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June for the majority of patients in Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole hospitals.
Barrie Smith, a patient at Grimsby hospital, told us: “I’m looking forward to watching it on television. I’ve been in hospital a while and I haven’t watched anything since I arrived. The ward looks very nice, it makes a nice change and has really brightened things up.”
Elaine Hughes, a patient at Scunthorpe hospital, told us: “I think it’s a wonderful idea for patients stuck in hospital over the weekend. I’ll hopefully be discharged by then but if I was in hospital, I’d certainly be tuning in.”
The Grimsby LoF was formed in 1957 and the Scunthorpe LoF was formed in 1948. In the early years, the leagues provided things like newspapers, flowers, water jugs and curtains for the wards. In recent years, they’ve donated much bigger items including thousands of pounds worth of medical equipment and funded room refurbishments for patients.
Ann Rushby, Secretary of Grimsby LoF, said: “We are absolutely delighted to help provide free television for patients so they can join in and watch the celebrations for this momentous occasion. Hopefully, making their stay in hospital more bearable.”
Granville Staves, Chair of Scunthorpe LoF, said: “We’ve been supporting patients and staff of Scunthorpe hospital for the last 74 years and jumped at the chance to help them celebrate this once in a lifetime occasion!”
The celebrations don’t stop there, with wards being decorated in red white and blue thanks to the hospital’s official charity, the Health Tree Foundation.
If you’re planning on visiting a family member or friend in hospital over the weekend, check the current visiting arrangements.