Wolverhampton hospital donation will help staff find veins during treatments

 Motivated by this upsetting memory, as well as a desire to recognise the “amazing people who make up our NHS,” former Goodyear factory workers have once again supported The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).

 Led by chair and trustee Cyril Barrett, members of the 5/344 Branch of the Transport and General Workers Union Benevolent Fund visited the children’s ward at New Cross Hospital to see an AccuVein device handed over.

 This handheld device can help healthcare staff accurately and quickly find veins during blood draws, injections, and other treatments.

 Cyril explained he had seen first-hand how difficult it could be to find a vein to administer treatment after his own grandson needed a cannula to be inserted.

 He said: "“I remember the distress caused when the medics couldn’t find a vein to insert a cannula. 

 “It was a long time ago, but I’ve not forgotten it and know how upsetting it can be for the young patients as well as their families to witness. This device will help reduce that distress and we’re pleased to hand it over.

 “We always said we wanted those of us who worked at Goodyear to leave a legacy, I can’t emphasise enough how important that is to us.

 “And we also want to recognise the amazing people who make up our NHS. They are angels and what they have done for many of our members – as well as families across Wolverhampton and the Black Country and Staffordshire – is priceless.”

 Abbie Wood, senior sister and High Dependency Unit Lead for RWT, said the device would make a huge difference to young patients’ experience.

 She said: "It can be very difficult to find a vein and this device will help us to do so, reducing the anxiety and fear our young patients have.

 “We are so grateful for everything the Goodyear workers have done for us in Paediatrics as well as across the wider trust.”

 In total, Goodyear factory workers have supported patients at Wolverhampton’s New Cross and West Park Hospitals to the tune of almost £500,000 over the years.

 Donations have included anaesthetic machines for theatres, wheelchair accessible exercise bikes for patients undergoing rehabilitation and rooms being been transformed for young cancer patients.

 The fund also donated £50,150 for machines to help skin cancer patients in the Black Country.

 Amie Rogers, fundraising and lead digital engagement officer at The RWT Charity, added: “It’s always a pleasure to catch up with our Goodyear fundraisers, and once again we appreciate their efforts to support both our patients and the staff who care for them.

 “The AccuVein, which cost just under £5,000, will definitely benefit patients on the children’s ward and help make their treatment easier.”