VOLUNTEER-LED PHONE SUPPORT HELPS PATIENTS STAY WELL
7 March 2023
Volunteers at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust in Nuneaton have engaged with almost 3,000 patients who are on waiting lists, or have recently been discharged from hospital.
They ensure patients receive the help they need, improving their wellbeing, patient experience and outcomes.
The Trust set up the Contact Centre in October 2021 with support from volunteering charity Helpforce. Volunteers make check-in phone calls to patients to identify any issues or concerns. These are passed on to a clinician if appropriate. If the patient needs help with loneliness, transport, or getting in shape ahead of surgery then support is arranged through volunteers in the community.
Christian Hancox, Voluntary Service Officer at George Eliot Hospital said: “Our project is responsive and innovative, our volunteers really do make a difference.”