Jim used his own experience of hearing loss to help others
12th October 2022
Jim Woods has been a valued volunteer at the NHS Golden Jubilee since March 2009 and recently retired from his role as Sensory Care Volunteer after many years of providing support and assistance to patients with a hearing impairment.
Jim initially identified a need to help patients with hearing aids and trained with Action on Hearing Loss (now RNID). He trained other volunteers to carry out this specialist work with deaf or hard of hearing patients which involved replacing hearing aid batteries and tubing. In his role, Jim also trained other volunteers on deaf awareness, hearing aid retubing and assistive technology. This has enabled the hospital to provide support which is important when patients need to discuss life changing situations with Surgeons and Consultants.
The Sensory Support Service provides crucial support for people with hearing loss who are admitted to the NHS Golden Jubilee Hospital to ensure that patients are able to hear and communicate effectively with staff during their stay. This volunteer led service was nominated for and was a runner up at the UK National Patient Experience Network Awards.
The support for the patients and staff on the wards includes volunteers sitting with the patient and helping them to remove their hearing aids to have their temperature taken by nursing staff. When it became apparent that nursing staff were not trained in helping people with sensory impairment, training was introduced to nurses as required and Jim is responsible for the introduction and development of the Sensory Care Service in the NHS Golden Jubilee. The hospital is grateful that he took the time to train another volunteer who is now carrying on the valuable work since Jim retired.
“We owe him a debt of gratitude. A countless number of patients have had their journey improved with the input of Jim, a skilled volunteer with his own experience of hearing impairment which he has used to the benefit of others. We are most grateful.”
Maureen Franks, Volunteer Service Manager
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