The Friends of Victoria Hospital, Wimborne is a registered charity committed to helping staff at the hospital deliver excellent standards of treatment and care to patients at the Victoria Hospital, Wimborne.
History Of Victoria Hospital, Wimborne
** History of The Friends of Victoria Hospital Wimborne **
Since 1936 when The League of Friends was established, the trustees have not only worked to promote and develop facilities but at times have also had to fight to preserve the hospital!
Drawn from members of the local community, trustees deem it a great privilege to be associated with, and have influence over, the comprehensive health care the hospital provides today.
Indeed the hospital was built on land donated by Sir John Hanham in 1888. His successors, Sir Michael and Lady Jane Hanham, who was previously President of the Friends, upheld this tradition.
Guided and encouraged by the people of Wimborne and surrounding villages, the trustees over many years have worked in partnership with the succession of Health Service bodies which have managed the hospital.
Residents and business leaders in East Dorset have demonstrated their support to the charity not just financially, but also in person. There are numerous instances of individuals and families who have made a difference to the comfort and care of patients through their donations and deeds, enabling the trustees to provide extra services and support for patients and staff.
In recent history the focus has been on capital projects with the trustees funding the largest proportion of the building of a new Rehabilitation ward and X-Ray department, whilst in 2001 the Leslie Adams building, housing the Outpatient and Clinical Investigations services, was in the main funded by the charity through community donations.
In excess of £4 million has been given since 1990 to provide facilities otherwise available only at District General Hospitals.
Since 1936, residents of East Dorset have had the vision and commitment to support their local hospital which, to name just a few of its advantages, is small and therefore less bureaucratic, giving patients a sense of ownership and influence. Parking is easier, as is visiting. The hospital also provides close links with family doctors, which greatly helps patient care and follow up.
