Armchair aid for hospital ward

A BUILDING Society has handed patients in Macclesfield a boost after donating money to buy new equipment for its hospital.

A gift of £500 from Leek United Building Society means that Macclesfield District General Hospital can purchase a specialist reclining armchair for use on Ward 4.

The ward cares mostly for people with respiratory problems and the chair will help them to relax more easily when not in their hospital beds.

Kate Johnson, the ward’s senior sister, said: “We have a lot of acutely unwell patients on Ward 4 who predominantly have respiratory illnesses.

“This can be very debilitating, but it is important for patients to be able to sit out of bed comfortably to aid their breathing.

“Having reclining armchairs enables patients to sit in comfort and if they become tired they can rest in the chair if they do not wish to return to bed.

“Both the patients and staff are very grateful for equipment which improves patient comfort and we really do appreciate Leek United’s very generous donation.”

Ben Gronneberg, Leek United’s head of sales, visited the hospital with Macclesfield branch manager Adam Sheldon to hand over the Society’s £500 cheque to Lynn McGill, East Cheshire NHS Trust chairman.

Ben said: “We strongly believe that the money many organisations spend in sending out corporate greetings and gifts each year is of far greater use in the community.

“The hospital serves the same community as our Macclesfield branch staff – and many patients from North Staffordshire, too – and we are delighted to be able to make a donation that is going to have a direct benefit for the hospital’s patients.”