Latest news with #RUH
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former nurse, 100, 'inundated' with birthday cards
A former midwife has received hundreds of cards from around the world in celebration of her 100th birthday. Bertha Preston spent time working in New Zealand, Australia and Kenya, before settling down in a nursing career at Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath, Somerset. With no surviving family or close friends nearby, staff at the Bloomfield Care Centre in Paulton issued a "heartfelt request" to the public to send in their warm wishes. Key worker Jane Rogers described Ms Preston as a "very strong lady", who "chose her career over marriage" and showed an unwavering dedication to her profession. Ms Preston said "her spirit remains strong and her presence continues to inspire those around her". "She's been a huge part of my life," said Ms Rogers, who has cared for Ms Preston since 2009. "All of the residents here are very special to everyone who works here, but she's a darling lady. "Because of her vulnerability and the fact she has no known family, we've all become her family, and that's how we like it." Ms Preston's "quiet strength and compassion" was born out of becoming an orphan at the age of eight, after losing her mother to tuberculosis. Her nursing journey took her around the world, most notably to Africa, where she treated patients for trachoma and helped deliver hundreds of babies. One woman wrote to Ms Preston from Kenya to ask if she had worked at the hospital during her birth in the early 1960s. "I was delighted to read of your enthusiasm for the country, and of your hard work and devotion over many years as a nurse," Sarah wrote. "You are clearly a credit to your profession." Activities assistant Christina Coles said the home had been "inundated" with letters since posting the appeal online, including a card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla. "The amount that's come through the post has been amazing," she said. "We've had such a good response, it's really been overwhelming. "It's lovely that people have made so much effort in the community to come forward for a lady who has worked so hard. "100 years is an amazing achievement for anyone. Bertha has got an incredible story and it's nice to share that with people," she added. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. D-Day veteran's 'unforgettable' 100th birthday World War Two decoder celebrates 100th birthday Vera celebrates 100th birthday with 450 cards Bloomfield Care Centre
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Charity walk raises more than £50,000 for Bath hospital
A charity walk raised more than £50,000 for a local hospital. More than 350 people took to the banks of the Kennet and Avon Canal on Saturday, May 17, and raised an impressive £52,000 for the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath. The walk organised by RUHX, the official NHS charity of the Royal United Hospitals Bath, saw participants walking varying distances of 10 miles, 16 miles and a marathon distance along the Kennet and Avon Canal, in order to raise funds for the hospital. One of RUHX's supporters said: "Every year for the last eleven, I have always felt a belonging with all that take part. We never feel on our own. "I have walked a few on my own, knowing that you are all walking for the same charity. Read more: The Cross Guns pub opens its doors in Bradford on Avon "It is an amazing feeling to be a part of this fantastic walk." Each participant was challenged to raise £100 but some managed a whopping £1,000 for the hospital. The funds raised will help the hospital provide care for patients, families, hospital staff, and everyone in the local community. RUHX events and community manager, Ellie Wilkinson, talked about the significant difference these charity walks make for the hospital. She said: "The incredible donations raised at the Walk of Life mean that we can ensure every patient at the RUH receives extra-ordinary care, whether by funding new state-of-the-art equipment like our surgical robot that improves outcomes and recovery times for patients, improving facilities, or providing services such as music on the hospital wards. "We're so grateful to everyone who stepped out for their local hospital on Saturday, volunteered or donated to friends and family." RUHX also expressed gratitude to local business Savills, who has supported the event for many years. RUHX works to assist with the "extra-ordinary work" that leads to the care within the hospital. Read more: The Barista Cafe up for rent in Royal Wootton Bassett It aims to help improve lives and reduce hospital pressure by aiding the introduction of innovative technologies, working in collaboration with groups fighting health inequalities, and supporting the dedicated hospital staff. The RUH in Bath is an NHS Foundation Trust that provides a variety of services to a whopping 500,000 people in Bath, and surrounding towns in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. Their 759-bed hospital delivers "acute services," including medical and surgical services, women's, and children's care, emergency services, and diagnostic care.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- BBC News
Headlines: Peregrine names and new night buses
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories Night buses are to be paid for by CAZ fines in Bristol, as reported by Bristol Live. An extra £1.8m in funding could see some routes running autism support service operating across Bath and North East Somerset has been given a four year extension, as reported by Somerset are reporting on the new mayor. Councillor Mike Facey says he is "greatly honoured" to take on the top role as Mayor alongside Deputy Cllr Paul Wynn. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media It's been 50 years since the Radiology department opened at the RUH, and the hospital's Facebook page has featured a video with radiologists that have been there since the Railway Touring Company Facebook page has posted about its first Royal Duchy of the year running from Bristol Temple Meads to Cornwall on Wiltshire, Salisbury Cathedral want people to suggest names for their peregrine chicks, with a watery theme this year. Devon and Cornwall Police has posted about a registered sex offender who's been jailed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman tackling charity walk while undergoing cancer treatment
A woman is set to take part in a charity walk while undergoing cancer treatment. Cat Banks, from Holt, near Bradford-on-Avon, was diagnosed with breast cancer last September. Despite this, the mum-of-four will be taking part in the annual Walk of Life on May 17 to raise money for the Royal United Hospital, which is currently treating her. The Walk of Life is organised by RUHX, the official NHS charity of the Royal United Hospitals Bath. Read more: Chippenham Railway Station delay warning for construction Walkers can choose between 10 miles, 16 miles, or a marathon distance along the Kennet and Avon Canal, to raise funds for their local hospital. Cat said: "I would love to be able to give back to the hospital and help in any way I can, in the hope that people facing a diagnosis, or needing medical care going forward, can have the same experience that I have." Cat could not praise the RUH staff who have treated her highly enough, commenting: "I have been so amazed by the care I have experienced by every member of the team at the RUH I have encountered. "I count myself very lucky to have been able to receive such amazing medical attention and care throughout my journey so far."
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wiltshire man goes home the same day after major robotic cancer surgery
A cancer patient returned home the same day after undergoing major surgery. Eddie Harvey, 67, underwent a successful robotic radical prostatectomy at the Royal United Hospitals (RUH) Bath NHS Foundation Trust. He returned to his Corsham home on the same day, only the second RUH patient to have this type of surgery and make it home in the same day. The Da Vinci surgical robot was used to perform the operation. Read more: Wiltshire man to be sentenced for Devizes attempted murder The robot was funded by RUH's charity, RUHX. It allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with precision and minimal access. Mr Harvey said: "I was referred to the RUH by my GP after a check-up, and an MRI scan at the hospital showed there was suspicion of cancer in my prostate. "I then had prostate biopsies which confirmed it. "Within a couple of weeks I was having the surgery. "Everything moved really quickly, I was so impressed. "I arrived at hospital at 7am on the morning of the operation and was back home later that night. "I was a bit surprised but delighted that I could be back home in my own bed that same day. "There was no pressure on me to go home that day, but I felt good and had complete trust in the surgeon who I knew wouldn't have let me leave if he didn't think I was ready to. "I know that being discharged on the same day for this kind of surgery isn't going to be possible for everyone, but for those who are eligible it's fantastic." The surgery was led by consultant urological and robotic surgeon Ayman Ali. He said: "This really is a fantastic achievement for the RUH and will hopefully be the start of many similar operations where patients can now return home the same day. "This is now possible due to the use of the robot, which provides better precision and accuracy which also enhances recovery times too. Read more: Bid to save beloved £750k Chippenham farm falls short "While same day discharge will not be suitable for all patients, we know that being at home can aid patient recovery and lead to better outcomes for the people we care for. "I would like to say a huge thank you to our dedicated surgical and anaesthetic team, nursing staff in our Day Surgery Unit, and urology specialist nurses who have made this milestone possible. "This accomplishment is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional patient-centred care." The surgical robot is now used in a range of surgeries at the RUH, including gynaecology oncology and colorectal operations.
