AN appeal was this week issued to members of the public in Okehampton to get behind their community hospital. The hospital?s Friends of Okehampton Community Hospital group held its annual meeting this month ? but although the town has a population of several thousand, only a handful of members were present, from a membership of fewer than 60. Robin Young, a friends committee member, said the group desperately needed more members to rally on-going support for the hospital. He said: ?We have a state of the art facility which will disappear if more support is not given. ?We provide a trolley service once a week for patients? use, supplying everything they might require to make their stay more pleasurable.? Mr Young said the friends often provide the hospital with extras to which finances sometimes did not stretch. ?Fairly recently we purchased a resuscitaire, a defibrillator and two specialist chair beds, among many other items that have been hugely appreciated by patients, and there are other large equipment items that we are raising money to purchase.? Mr Young said many people have commented on the ?hotel-like? and friendly atmosphere of Okehampton Hospital and he hoped town residents would consider stepping forward and joining the group. He said membership of the group costs just £10 per year ? less than 20p a week. Anyone who would like to join the Friends of Okehampton Hospital or learn more should call Martin Perry on 01409 221840.
