VOLUNTEERS who provide comfort for patients at Salisbury District Hospital have pledged £10,000 towards building a new cardiac suite from funds they collect.
The Women's Royal Voluntary Service raises funds through a trolley service throughout the hospital and is to make the donation to support the £1m Ace of Hearts Appeal, which will reduce waiting times for tests and enable people to receive treatment locally.
The WRVS is among the first organisations to make a donation after hearing about the appeal.
Simon Branscomb, WRVS national director of hospital services, said: "WRVS volunteers and staff are delighted to be able to help Salisbury Hospital with the Ace of Hearts Appeal. It is thanks to the hard work and commitment of all our volunteers that WRVS can be part of this exciting project.
"We hope that more people will be encouraged to take up a couple of hours' volunteering to help us give back more to the hospital and the local community in the future."
Salisbury District Hospital's charity Share is asking for support of its Ace of Hearts Appeal so that people can undergo tests for suspected heart disorders locally, and not have to travel to Southampton for investigations.
At the moment, some people from the area face a 100-mile round trip to have the tests done.
The new cardiac suite will also reduce the waiting time for tests and follow-up treatment, as the large numbers using the Southampton facility mean that, in some cases, patients have to wait 15 months for investigations.
It will also complement and extend existing services for the treatment of patients with suspected or known heart disease.
The NHS has agreed to match the funds by providing a further £1m over 10 years for running costs.
The cardiac unit, which will house sophisticated digital X-ray equipment, an examination room, a purpose-built relaxation and recovery room and a conference facility, is expected to be available in 12 months.
Anyone wanting to assist the campaign, by organising an event or making a cash pledge, should contact the appeal office, c/o Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ, telephone 01722 429 005, or e-mail sharecharity@ salisbury.nhs.uk
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