THOSE who keep a keen eye on Eastbourne’s DGH will have heard the fantastic news that the new Sussex Surgical Centre has now opened, writes Amy Williams from Friends of Eastbourne Hospital.
Contained within this exciting new unit, is £1 million’s worth of equipment resulting from fundraising by the Friends, our members and the community.
The £1 million fundraising target was the Friends’ Major Project for 2025, and thanks to very generous legacies, individual fundraising initiatives, and support of Friends’ events, we reached our goal. Thank you to everyone who helped us get there!
The new unit, located at Eastbourne DGH, offers state-of-the-art care for day surgery patients across all of Eastbourne’s surgical specialties. Featuring four new operating theatres, comprehensive pre-assessment, admission, and recovery areas, the centre will be operating for ten hours a day, across five days a week, and is expected to deliver around 7,000 planned procedures each year – the aim of each one being that patients will be able to undergo their procedure and return home to recover on the same day.
We were delighted to be invited to tour the new facility by the team behind the project. Dr James Evans, Consultant Anaesthetist and clinical lead for the project, acknowledged the additional state-of-the-art equipment funded by the Friends, and confirmed that the facility will mean the provision of quicker, better care to patients, reduction of waiting lists and the freeing up of capacity in the DGH’s main theatres.
Alongside the opening of the SSC, we were equally honoured to be invited to the opening of the Cherry Tree Garden – a project to which the Friends have donated £25,000. Cherry Tree Garden is a courtyard garden within the DGH, intended for use by staff and patients, or families in need of space. Many teams at the hospital have been involved in the garden’s redesign, which now sees a Japanese-themed space, complete with a new pathway, a gazebo, cold frames, garden furniture and plenty of new planting. Members of the public are welcome to visit. The entrance is on level one in the Green zone, just along the Green zone corridor next to the lifts.
With two large fundraising targets now completed, we are considering bids for next year’s major project. Chairman Harry Walmsley will be announcing the 2025/26 Major Project at the Friends of Eastbourne Hospital’s AGM on Thursday 27 November, as well as rounding up the last year and reaffirming the Friends’ goals and objectives. All are welcome to attend, and we would love to welcome you. Taking place at Victoria Baptist Church in Eastbourne from 2-4pm, please do get in touch with the Friends Office on 01323 749503 / esh-tr.friendsdgh@nhs.net if you would like any further information. Refreshments will be available at the end of the meeting.
Fundraising at the Friends continues apace as we embrace the autumn months. An annual event, now in its 20th year, we are also looking forward to welcoming you to our Autumn Art Exhibition, where the works of artists across Eastbourne and beyond will be displayed on the premises of St. Andrew’s Prep in Meads. Open from 10am to 4pm each day, entrance is free and all are invited. Last year, 68 local artists entered a 321 paintings for display and sale, and the Friends expect to see a similar number this year to celebrate this landmark staging. Works of art by pupils at St. Andrew’s Prep will also be displayed on the stage.
On Saturday at 2pm at the exhibition, well-known local artist Terry Hobbs will be giving a painting demonstration, with free admission; and on Sunday afternoon, caricaturist Ian Parratt will be sketching fun portraits of guests for a donation of £10 per picture to the Friends. The Friends will also hold a silent auction, plus a raffle, both for works of art. All paintings will be available for sale, so plenty of opportunities to pick up early Christmas presents!
Also on the calendar in the coming months (and also a great place for your Christmas gifts and decorations) is our Christmas Fair & Coffee Morning. To be held on Saturday 15 November, from 10am until midday in Meads Hall, this will be a great opportunity to browse stalls, pick up some bargains, stop for a hot drink, and simply to start feeling festive! Admission is free, with donations welcome on entry.
Details of all events, and everything else we do, are available on our website at www.friendsdgh.org.uk. Please do visit and get in touch if you have any queries about either, we would love to hear from you.
