Our hospitals are supported by a number of charities that raise money to support projects that lie outside NHS budgets, but are often vital to enhancing patients' health and wellbeing.
Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity
This charity supports initiatives across both hospital sites, raising money for innovative treatment, equipment and research.
Building for Brighter Futures
A £1.1 million appeal to help extend Harefield's intensive care unit (ICU)
Thanks to the second largest appeal in the charity's history, building work on Harefield Hospital's new imaging centre was completed in 2017. Six new bedrooms were added to the unit, with a new MRI/CT scanning room also being funded as part of the appeal, which will benefit an extra 250 critically ill patients each year. Sue Mather, ICU matron/senior nurse, said: "Not only will we be able to treat so many more patients, but little things like a far superior waiting room for families and better staff facilities are what makes this project so game-changing. I can't put into words how thankful I am to everyone who donated."
Find out more about the transformation at Harefield Hospital.
Heart of PICU appeal
Raising £65,000 to create a better environment for parents of critically ill children on Royal Brompton's paediatric intensive care unit (PICU)
Work began in March 2017 to renovate the nurses' station and reception area. The new space provides a more open and accessible space for patients and gives staff a much-needed private space to discuss delicate matters. A new medicine delivery system helps staff deliver care efficiently.
Lizzie Biggart, paediatric senior nurse and service manager, said: "I am so very delighted that we have achieved a space in which people can feel confident the environment matches the expertise of the staff. It really achieves a large amount of work in a small space; it's beautiful and impressive and has been a great morale boost!"
MitraClip Appeal
Securing £175,000 from a generous anonymous donor to fund 15 life-saving 'MitraClip' procedures for patients too weak for heart surgery
Celia Coote, who benefitted from the procedure, said: "I was far too unwell to have more surgery, yet my mitral valve was leaking. A clip was the only chance I had. My daughters and husband had prepared themselves for the real possibility that I might die.
"As soon as the clip was fitted, my heart started to recover. It saved my life. I count my blessings every day."
Enhancing critical care
Raising £86,000 to support the building of two specialist isolation rooms in Royal Brompton's adult intensive care unit (AICU) to treat the hospital's most critically-ill patients
In January, staff welcomed their first patients into the fully upgraded rooms, which were designed in response to feedback from staff, previous patients and their families.
The spacious rooms feature floor-to-ceiling photography and a comfortable furnished area for family members - a UK first in intensive care.
Matron Jo Tillman said: "The new rooms are fantastic, as family can be present and not feel remotely like they are in the way.
Revamping the non-clinical spaces will help make it more user-friendly and create a better working environment."
The Brompton Fountain
The Brompton Fountain supports children under the care of the Trust, by funding medical equipment and improvements to facilities, focusing on boosting the overall experience for young patients and their families. The charity works closely with paediatric teams to provide activities, services and specialist resources that are not normally provided by the NHS.
Among other activities held during the 2017/18 financial year, the charity:
- worked with cardiac nurse specialists to provide home blood testing machines for young patients. The machines help families to reduce their trips to hospital and make sure children avoid unnecessary time away from school.
- held support events and fun activities for families. Events such as an annual barbecue, art workshops and pizza evenings provide a fantastic opportunity to meet other families who have been through similar experiences.
- funded various projects and purchased new items throughout the hospital through events and appeals - including portable monitors.
Friends of Royal Brompton
The Friends of Royal Brompton have been supporting the hospital for 55 years and run two shops, operate a trolley service for families on the wards, and host fundraising events throughout the year.
During the 2017/18 financial year, the charity funded a variety of projects, including raising £28,400 towards a one-of-a-kind simulation doll to help train doctors to detect life-threatening heart conditions in babies, and a donation of £9,240 towards production of a post-operative bra to aid women's recovery after cardiothoracic surgery.
Friends of Harefield Hospital
Harefield has a sister charity, the Friends of Harefield Hospital, that runs a popular refreshment pavilion onsite throughout the year.
During the 2017/18 financial year, the charity funded amenities within the hospital, such as ward chairs, specialist mattresses and blood pressure monitors.
They contributed to numerous charitable appeals, including the ambitious renovation of the imaging centre, as well as donating a state of the art £45,000 mannequin for clinical simulation training.