Two unexpected, but welcome guests made a surprise appearance at Frome Community Hospital’s 10th anniversary celebrations last Saturday, with the birth of two babies during the ‘open afternoon’ event.
Delighted birthing unit staff said, “It was amazing with the two new arrivals during our three-hour public event; it was really exciting.
“We hope that visitors, who were hoping to see our wonderful birthing facility as part of the scheduled tours for the afternoon, can now understand why they were turned away at our door!”
Matron Hayley Hughes said, “The Frome Community Hospital manages about 190 births during the course of a year, so two new arrivals during the three hours of our celebration was a fantastic and timely coincidence for us – wow!”
Elsewhere around the hospital, visitors were able to view a display of exhibits prepared by the medical staff, which highlighted the services offered by different departments around the hospital. Staff from the hospital laid on teas and celebration cakes for the afternoon.
The Friends of Frome Hospital were acting as hosts, with their own display of support for patient care in the hospital and the community.
A number of high profile guests were in attendance with a particularly warm welcome for Kay Kittemaster, who was matron at the old Frome Victoria Hospital and the transitional matron when the new hospital was opened in 2008. The other VIP guests included Dr John Moxon, who for 20 years spearheaded the lobbying group to build the new hospital, and then went on to raise £600,000 for supplementary equipment. He was joined by Peter Smith, the current chairman of the Friends of Frome Hospital, and the Mayor of Frome, cllr Rich Ackroyd. The finale for the afternoon was a Q&A session where the matron was able to answer and address any questions from the public about the hospital.
Matron Hayley Hughes said, “It was a real privilege to welcome so many people from the community. It made for a great event, especially with two new arrivals in the birthing unit during the afternoon.
“All of us at the hospital, both medical and administrative staff, have absolute pride in our environment, which is an excellent place to deliver high quality care for the patients. We are grateful to the Frome community which has made this happen. Frome Community Hospital is a fit and operational unit ready for the future, and is able to adapt for any changes that may be required of it.”
Community services director, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Tracy Evans said, “We are proud of Frome Community Hospital and how it has served the community over the past 10 years. It’s a great achievement, by an inspirational team.”
Pictured: Peter Smith chair, Friends of Frome Hospital; Dr John Moxon, former chair; Kay Kittemaster, former matron of Victoria Hospital & Frome Community Hospital; Frome major, Richard Ackroyd; Michael Vernon-Powell, hospital fundraiser; and Hayley Hughes, present matron at the hospital. More pictures – see page 25
