It's a craft, it's slowly done...it's a comfort thing, and it gives them comfort and warmth. They realise the difference, it does make you feel good.
Listen 00:24:39
Story: Richard Rooney - Central London
Stories of volunteers supporting the health service since 1949
Chelsea, London, Westminster
The Friends of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is a voluntary organisation and registered charity founded in 1993 which supports the work of the hospital for the benefit of patients, their families and staff. The Friends works closely with the hospital to supplement and enhance the services provided to patients by the hospital and its own volunteer department. Our services include the Friends Library, Friends Shop, trolley services for patients, and a hair salon for patients, staff and the public. We also run a Grants Scheme for medical equipment and other items which improve the patient experience. In recent years the main focus of our fundraising has been on creating special ‘Butterfly Rooms’ for patients at Chelsea & Westminster and West Middlesex Hospitals who need end-of-life care.
About 10 years ago, I woke up in Chelsea and Westminster on the day the book trolley came round and I felt the kindness of the trolley pusher and the generous thought and careful organisation that had resulted in my being greatly cheered by a book. This is why I send a donation to the FriendsShirley Conran Author
Banker Henry Hoare, writer William Wogan, wine merchant Robert Witham and the Rev. Patrick Cockburn meet in a coffee house to propose the creation of a charity to assist the ‘poor, sick and needy’ in the Westminster area.
The ‘Trustees and Managers of Charity for Relieving the Sick and Needy’ agree to rent a private house in Pimlico for £22 per year, which they name ‘Westminster Infirmary’. This is the first hospital to be founded in England since the Reformation, and the first in the world to be funded entirely by public donations and subscriptions.
The infirmary moves to a larger premises in Chappell Street (now known as Broadway) and is renamed the Westminster Broadway Infirmary.
The Infirmary moves again, to three houses at the junction of James Street and Petty France, where it remains until 1834. Services included a room near the hospital’s front entrance where people could come and be treated quickly – a precursor to a modern A&E department.
The hospital moves to a large purpose – built site at Broad Sanctuary, opposite Westminster Abbey, accommodating 106 inpatients. The first operation under general anaesthetic was performed at the hospital by Hale Thompson in 1847.
The hospital moves to a new location on Horseferry Road and is used as a casualty clearing station and major accident unit. Throughout the Blitz, the building suffers significant damage but continues to stay in operation.
The Association of Friends of Westminster Hospital Group was founded, in the same year as the NHS to ‘provide comforts and amenities for patients that were not available under the National Health Service’. The Friends provided a shop, tea trolley, items and equipment for wards, a patients library, a sewing circle/knitting group as well as other services for patients and staff, many of these services are still in operation 70 years later.
Westminster Hospital closes and reopens as Chelsea & Westminster Hospital at 369 Fulham Road with 580 beds. The building was officially opened by HM the Queen. The Friends of Chelsea and Westminster was founded in the same year and now has more than 150 members. Since 2009, the Friends have awarded more than £700,000 of grants to hospital departments.
West Middlesex University Hospital in Isleworth, west London becomes part of the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Since 2012, the Friends have funded four ‘Butterfly Rooms’ (specially decorated side rooms for patients receiving end of life care) at West Middlesex, and another seven at Chelsea & Westminster.
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and the Friends are due to celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2023, with lots planned.
Listen 00:24:39
Story: Richard Rooney - Central London
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Story: Clare Johnstone - Central London
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Story: Gordon Dempster - London