STAFF and outpatients at Wellington Community Hospital were given chocolate treats this Easter, courtesy of the hospital’s League of Friends.

The league usually buys Easter eggs for patients who are spending the Easter weekend in hospital but, as the inpatient ward remains closed, they decided to buy Easter eggs for staff instead. Patients were not forgotten and the league also bought dozens of smaller eggs for people visiting the many outpatient clinics to help themselves to.

“This is such a tough time for everyone,” said Diane Grabham, speaking on behalf of the league. “With many members of staff temporarily transferred to other hospitals we thought this would be a good way of showing them we are still thinking of them and appreciating what they are doing. As for the eggs for the outpatient clinics, well a little unexpected gift always lifts the spirits, and don’t we all need that.”

The league also reached out to patients in Pyrland Ward at Cheddon Road in Taunton with a gift of Easter eggs. The ward is an inpatient assessment and treatment centre for older people with severe dementia. The league’s links with this go back to the closure of the dementia day care facility in Stratfield House on the hospital site – now in use as a Covid-19 vaccine clinic.

Outpatient clinics are thriving at the hospital with increased activity and requests coming in to hold more clinics. The league funded the conversion of what had been used as a rehabilitation kitchen into a consulting room and this is now in use.

The staff room is undergoing some refurbishment and a new sluice has been installed on the first floor. Taking this to be a good sign for the future of the hospital, the league agreed to fund the purchase of a dishwasher machine for the staff room.

It is not known when the inpatient ward might re-open but this is no surprise given the present situation across the NHS.

The Covid-19 vaccination clinic continues to operate in Stratfield House when batches of vaccine are allocated. Hundreds of people have had their first vaccine and many their second.

Diane added: “The future of our hospital has been uncertain for a number of years but the many functions it has provided during the past 12 months must surely demonstrate its importance to the community. Let’s hope the powers that be remember this when making future decisions.”