MUCH-LOVED RVS volunteers will continue to have a role to play in supporting patients at Glangwili and Withybush Hospitals, Hywel Dda University Health Board has confirmed.
The announcement by the Health Boat follows their decision to allow Costa Coffee to replace the RVS cafe at both hospitals.
Steve Moore, the health board’s Chief Executive, said that all volunteers who want to continue being an important part of the hospital communities will be offered new roles, and retain their RVS affiliation, following new contracts awarded to a national company for café and retail services.
At a public meeting of the Board last week, he said: “It’s important to explain that our new contract arrangement, following a tender process, represents an opportunity to bring significant investment into the hospital at no cost, which will contribute to our ability to aid our frontline care.
“I would also like to clarify that our canteens remain unaffected.
“What I absolutely want to underline is the fantastic service the RVS volunteers have provided our patients, and I am pleased we have been able to make a commitment to them to continue to be part of our hospital family in alternative roles.
“This may be something like our befriending scheme, and we are also looking at possibilities around a trolley service.”
The health board has appointed Medirest, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, to provide new café and retail services for patients, staff and visitors across all acute hospital sites.
Medirest will provide Costa Coffee units and Amigo shops at Withybush, Glangwili, and Prince Philip hospitals, and a Deli Marche coffee and combined shop outlet at Bronglais.
As part of the bidding process, interested parties were asked to outline their plans for the refurbishment of areas of the hospitals at zero cost to the health board, in order to generate income for the organisation through rent and turnover rent. This can be used to improve the hospital environment for patients and visitors.
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