Northfleet’s ellenor hospice recently took delivery of a brand new state-of-the-art Rollbord pat slide thanks to a grant from the Kent Mark Benevolent Fund (KMBF).
L-R David Martin – Knole Lodge, Nele Bohn – ellenor Ward Sister, Alan Short – KMBF.
The KMBF were petitioned by David Martin of Sevenoaks’s Knole Lodge of Mark Master Masons to assist in the purchase of a specialist patient transfer board, at a cost of £753.00, often referred to generically as a pat slide.
Rather than the traditional flat, flexible board which is placed partially under the patient and partially on the receiving surface to reduce the risk of injury for both the patient and the healthcare provider, this version features a rigid board with a sliding surface encapsulated in a tubular cover which moves freely, making transfers safer and easier for all concerned.
David proposed the support due to his regular visits to ellenor in support of a family member, who is an outpatient at the hospice. As a result he has been able to bear witness, first-hand, to the amazing works that are undertaken by the team and asked them if there was anything they were particularly in need of.
Ellenor, which celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, was recently visited by KMBF Trustee/Secretary Alan Short and Knole’s David Martin where they were welcomed by Lisa Crossland, Senior Community Fund Raising Officer. Lisa explained how the hospice provides a wide range of services to patients, who are largely home based (this includes services to around 60 children), there is also a ward for nine inpatients. Alan and David were then taken around the facility including the rooms which are used to provide a wide range of medical and therapeutic services. There is also a gym and a cinema room, together with an impressive garden, seen here.
Commenting on his first ever visit to ellenor, Alan said “It is difficult to imagine a setting less like a hospital. It was open, bustling and relaxed. We met in a large and attractive open area, with tables and seating, adjacent to a café to which is open to all.”
David added “Clearly ellenor provides an important facility for the residents of North Kent , for none of us knows when their services are going to be called upon within our own families. We came away appreciating that they are a very appropriate beneficiary of support from the KMBF.”