YOU'VE DONE US PROUD, BRITAIN!

Our call for volunteers to aid the NHS has only just begun – but already a magnificent 7,300 Mail readers have pledged 420,000 hours of help. Now will YOU sign up?

THOUSANDS of amazing readers have rallied to the Daily Mail’s hospital volunteer campaign in just 48 hours.

Together they have pledged 420,000 hours of priceless support for NHS patients and frontline staff.

Within minutes of the initiative being launched on Saturday more than a thousand kind-hearted readers had signed up. By last night the volunteer army had swollen to 7,296. As the total rose by the hour: The head of the Royal College of nursing gave her ‘whole-hearted backing’; Theresa May said the campaign was ‘fantastic’ and the public could play a key role; Labour health spokesman Jonathan Ashworth said he had ‘nothing but praise’ for hospital volunteers; Celebrities including Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Tom Jones, Chris evans and Joanna

lumley sent words of support for the campaign, which is a partnership with the charity Helpforce.

We are asking our readers to volunteer for either three hours a week or one eighthour day a month, for six months.

they can perform a huge variety of hospital roles, from befriending dementia patients to delivering blood on a motorbike. Other positions include playing games with children with cancer or ferrying patients to appointments.

readers can register their interest by filling out a form online. they will be matched with an NHS trust, with placements likely to begin from the spring, once the necessary checks and training have been completed.

the volunteers will not replace doctors and nurses but can carry out simple tasks to help patients feel more comfortable.

there are already about 78,000 in hospitals but the ageing population – and the increasing complexity of health needs – means they are in ever greater demand.

Volunteering will play a key part in a policy document to be published later this month, the NHS ten Year Plan.

And this week a landmark report by the King’s Fund is expected to conclude that hospital volunteers play a ‘vital role’ in improving patients’ experience.

responding to the Mail’s campaign, Mrs May said: ‘As a country we are rightly proud of our NHS – it belongs to us all and is there for every one of us in our times of need.

‘it’s fantastic that the Daily Mail is encouraging the public to give up their time to help others, be that by visiting patients, picking up their prescriptions or helping the elderly get around hospital.

‘Day in, day out, our doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals go the extra mile, serving with extraordinary dedication, and making the NHS what it is today. As a Government, we are putting £394million a week extra into the NHS as part of the long-term plan.

‘But we have always been a nation of volunteers. And as this campaign shows, the public can also play a valuable role by offering companionship and support at what can often be a difficult time.’

Writing for the Mail today, the head of the royal college of nursing underlines the huge value of volunteers for those patients who do not have any visitors.

Dame Professor Donna Kinnair says: ‘As nurses, because we got to know the volunteers, sometimes over many years, we knew they could be relied upon and trusted – for example by supporting patients who had no relatives or friends to visit, whether that was taking them into the hospital garden and sitting with them, reading to them, cutting their hair and trimming their nails, or simply sitting and providing a listening ear while people reflected on their lives.

‘Volunteers can be trained to report patient concerns too and bring these to the attention of nurses or doctors. And we shouldn’t forget that many bring prelies existing life and professional skills to volunteering that can be a great asset.’

Figures published last week showed that the numbers of patients going to A&e in the three months to September was 4 per cent higher than this time last year – a total of 6.18million people.

It’s fantastic that the Daily Mail is encouraging the public to give up their time to help THERESA MAY

THE Mail never ceases to be inspired by the warmth, generosity and public spiritedness of our amazing readers.

In appeal after appeal – whether to provide succour for sick children, or those made homeless by the devastating floods three years ago – they have shown deep concern for the needy and the dispossessed.

But even by their own high standards, the response to this year’s Christmas campaign has been truly astonishing.

Less than 48 hours after we – in association with the charity Helpforce – asked readers to serve as NHS volunteers, more than 7,000 had signed up, pledging a staggering 420,000 hours of their precious time.

By offering to take on a whole range of non-medical tasks – even if just for a few hours a week – they will be easing the pressure on our overburdened health professionals and bringing cheer to patients who are feeling vulnerable and afraid.

It’s a magnificent gesture that demonstrates the very best of Britain.

NHS leaders, unions, politicians and celebrities have lined up to back the appeal. Indeed, even shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth – not always in tune with the Mail’s thinking – has lent his support, showing how this appeal transcends politics. It’s simply about compassion and community service.

After this incredible start, we fervently hope that thousands more will heed the call (details of how to do so are on page 6). This is the biggest and most exciting recruiting drive for volunteers since the 2012 Olympics – and may become even bigger.

We are proud to be a part of it – and even prouder of our readers for making it such a huge success.