TEN years ago, the Friends of Ross-on-Wye Hospital donated a field of vision analyser, nicknamed Humphrey, to the Wye Valley NHS trust to use.

But now, with Humphrey nearing the end of its working life, the Friends have once again helped the hospital out by raising funds for the son of Humphrey.

Former GP, Dr Brian Cole said: “Eleven years ago, when I was president of Rotary Ross-on-Wye, the club decided that our fundraising objective would be to provide such a machine.

“However, when the Rotary Club were unable to raise the total amount, a discussion was had with the Friends of Ross Hospital and one of the ophthalmology consultants, Steve Scotcher, a field of vision analyser, enabled the Friends to step in and make up the difference.

“When the machinery arrived, I thought that the staff had given it a nickname of ‘Humphrey’.

“However, it transpired that it was actually the name of the machine and the name stuck.

Old hospital pic
FATHER HUMPHREY: The arrival of the original Humphrey in 2014 with front row standing Jill Davies, chairman of Friends with Janet Bastock, president of Ross Rotary and Steve Scotcher consultant ophthalmologist, far right. Back row Dr Brian Cole immediate past president. of Rotary, Philip Dazeley past president, George Pendlebury past president, Stewart Ross past president, all of Rotary. (Submitted)

“Last year, whilst I was chairman of the Friends of Ross Hospital, we were informed that Humphrey was no longer in warranty, and that it could no longer be serviced and if he broke down, it could not be repaired.

“Humphrey had made the lives of many patients so much easier. Rather than travelling to Hereford for their eye tests, they could have them done in our cottage hospital.

“It therefore seemed that it would be beneficial to purchase a second machine - Son of Humphrey!”

The Friends’ committee set about launching a public appeal to raise £40,000. One of its members David Ravenscroft, wrote to businesses in the area asking for help.

The fundraising campaign saw a plethora of fundraising events which included running an appeal in the Ross Gazette and had bucket shakes at Morrisons, as well as collecting at its regular coffee mornings.

The Friends’ Committee had large donations from Ross Town Council, Ross Lions, Chepstow Lions, Rotary Ross on Wye, Odd Fellows, TCShielding Ross, an anonymous business in Ross, B Wozencroft, Aymler, the Bayliss family, O’Connor Thompson and Sir Peter de la Billiere.

And of course, not forgetting the many hundreds of smaller donations by members of the public without which the purchase of Son of Humphrey would not have been possible.

Dr Cole added: “The new machine is a very much updated version of our original Humphrey, enabling tests to be carried out much more quickly.

“Son of Humphrey was used in its very first clinic on August 7 and we hope that it continues to serve Ross for many years.”

The Friends are continuously trying to improve the stay of patients in the hospital, to help those attending outpatient clinics, and to help the staff at the hospital – nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and anyone else.

Dr Cole added: “Following last week’s handover of the son of Humphrey, we were treated to a demonstration of an amazing piece of equipment which one of the occupational therapists had seen at an exhibition.

“It’s an interactive sensory visual apparatus. It’s called Mobii and produced by a company called Omi. We’ll almost certainly be fundraising for this to benefit Ross Hospital patients.”

The Friends’ committee are always looking for people to join its team. If you would like to help, please check the new website friendsofrosshospital.org or email info@friendsofrosshospitalorg.

The committee are also developing a Facebook page and would welcome anyone who could help them with that!