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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Hospital benefits from volunteers

 

Woy Woy Hospital is one of four public hospitals on the Central Coast to benefit from the work of the Veteran Volunteer Health Force.

The group of volunteers drawn from ex-service organisations on the Central Coast, to provide a service to veterans and war widows while they are in hospital, and to help with their transition from hospital to home.

The program was set up with a grant from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and will further develop the social and welfare support program already provided for veterans and war widows in hospital.

The volunteers provide support of an informal nature, and they will work with the hospital staff to pass on information that will out benefit the veteran or widows recovery and discharge.

The aim of this program is to provide a service that will benefit the veterans and widows, and give them or their carers or family valuable information that will assist with the transition between hospital and home.

It will provide a follow up service in the form of a phone call to keep in touch with the veteran or widow to see if there are any problems that may need attention after going home from hospital.

By providing this information and service, the turn around time for return to hospital will be extended.

The volunteers are provided with guidelines, and given support from the hospital ward staff and social workers.

A communication and referral network is already in place, through the veteran liaison nurse Marie Vrolyk.

For any further information please contact the project officer Patsy Edwards on 4323 2311 or mobile 0402 414 389 or Marie Vrolyk on 4320 2580.

Press release, June 21