Role of the Month

We are looking for caring and passionate people who want to make a difference by joining our volunteering team.  Providing excellent, high-quality care is our priority and we want volunteers who share our vision to come and join us.

The role our volunteers do make such a difference to our staff, patients and visitors, and the Trust is very grateful for all of their efforts. Volunteers play a valuable role across the hospital and within our community. The hours and duties are adapted to fit in with the lives and interests of the volunteer, with some supporting during the days and some in the evenings or weekends. 

For those considering a career with the Trust, this role has been identified as part of a the volunteer to career pathway which will help provides experience and exposure to all aspects of delivering an Urgent Community Response (UCR) and Virtual Ward (VW) service.

Role Overview:

The Urgent Community Response (UCR) service aim is for patients registered with an East Cheshire GP who are at risk of unnecessary hospital admission and require an urgent response to address care and medical needs within the community. Response is within 2 hours (8am – 8pm) and will be provided by the most appropriate professional.

The Trust’s Virtual Ward (VW) service supports patients who would otherwise be in hospital, to receive the acute care, remote monitoring and treatment they need in their own home or usual place of residence. 

The service offers many benefits to patients who can be treated in the familiarity and comfort of their own homes and surroundings. At the same time, virtual wards reduce patient waiting times and system pressure on the NHS by helping to prevent avoidable admissions or support early discharge out of hospital.

Operating under the supervision of the UCR and Virtual Ward our volunteers will help support the service, including staff, patients and family whilst maintaining respect for individuality, confidentiality, and the dignity of all patients.  

Role Profile:

• Arranging patient transport via our discharge lounge or volunteer drivers should this be required.
• Talking/chatting to patients at home both in person or on the phone as appropriate, to help with their confidence and well-being while they are being supported by UCR or VW.
• Collection of medication from a local pharmacy and delivering it to the patient’s home. 
• Supporting the nursing team with admin duties including printing, photocopying, filing and the transportation of telehealth equipment. 
• Supporting patients in their home by encouraging them with everyday tasks; this may include, shopping, befriending, making a sandwich/hot drink and ensuring the heating is on following discharge from hospital etc. 
• Contacting patients, relatives and carers to seek feedback on their UCR or VW experience in order to contribute to service development and improvement. 
• Following a feedback visit ensure patients are appropriately signposted or referred to other services as needed with support from the Hospital at Home coordinator. 
• Supporting patients who may need to attend the trust for investigations whilst on the virtual wards.

Additional information

These roles are available Monday to Sunday, 8am – 8pm and the Trust asks for a minimum commitment of 3 hours per week for all volunteering activity.  A Hospital at Home coordinator will be available for the duration of any shifts for support. 

Training

You will be required to undertake Trust induction training, wheelchair use training, Local services training and any other training deemed appropriate. This may include dementia awareness training.

DBS

An enhanced DBS (no fee) will be required for this role which the Trust would help you apply for. 

To find out more information about volunteering at East Cheshire NHS Trust, please click here.

If you would like to discuss the role with a member of the Volunteer Team, you can contact us on ecn-tr.volunteering@nhs.net. Alternatively, you can call 01625 661974.