How you make a difference

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Thanks to YOU, we’re helping to power up Royal Devon’s hospitals and push the limits of what’s possible with NHS funding. By putting a pound in the pot, you’ve helped fund the big things, as well as the small things that make a difference to patients and their families across northern, mid and eastern Devon.

Just take a look at some of the fantastic things your fundraising has delivered in 2022-23.

Just over £2.5million raised in 2022-23
877 grants were issued
£10,982 raised for Stargazer Sleeper chairs on Caroline Thorpe Ward at North Devon District Hospital
£5,800 for recliner chairs for cancer patients at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
£4,298 for monitors on Clyst Ward at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
£1,093 to buy wigs for cancer patients at North Devon District Hospital
346 cancer patients supported at our Fern Centre in Barnstaple
£40,599 raised to improve facilities for young patients at North Devon District Hospital
£18,996 for electric treatment chairs at community hospitals in Ottery St Mary, Exmouth and Axminster
£54,278 for 7 bladder scanners at community hospitals in Tiverton, Sidmouth and Exmouth
£3,836 for Portable Monitoring Machine on Staples Ward at North Devon District Hospital
£9,977 for sofas on maternity unit at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
£2,900 to upgrade Hospital Radio studio at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
£6,122 towards Fern Centre garden project at North Devon District Hospital
£2,495 for furniture in staff break room at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
£7,631 towards refurbishments at Ilfracombe Hospital
£40,920 new kitchen and pantry at Sidmouth Community Hospital

Meet Richard – a remarkable patient with a remarkable story

When Richard, from Ilfracombe, arrived at A&E with a sore leg in June 2018, it was just the start of a long journey of life-saving care and support. Against the odds, he survived necrotising fasciitis (flesh eating disease), leukaemia, sepsis, a brain seizure, left leg amputation at the hip and a stroke thanks to the quick thinking, care and treatment at North Devon District Hospital.

Just like in Richard’s case, there are often many specialties involved in a patient’s care. By deciding not to allocate your donation to a specific ward or department, we’ll ensure it’s used to help do brilliant things at our hospitals, wherever the need is greatest. Have a read of Richard’s incredible story below…

June 2018

A&E

Richard arrives at A&E at North Devon District Hospital at 6pm on Sunday June 10, 2018. He doesn’t remember anything after walking through the door but the nurse on the desk and the doctor on duty realised how serious his condition is and fast-track him through. A blood test reveals ‘flesh eating disease’ necrotising fasciitis in his leg and hairy cell leukaemia. Richard is taken into theatre around midnight and has his left leg removed.

June 2018

ICU

Richard is in a coma in ICU for 2 weeks fighting sepsis. His family is told he was critically ill with multiple issues and that his treatment plan only looked an hour ahead. They used the family room in ICU and found contact with other families and ICU staff was a massive help/support. Meanwhile, the Trust facilitated a review of Richard’s case with top haematologists across the South of England to agree treatment plan, which included a potential arm amputation.

June 2018

Pharmacy

Richard receives support throughout from the hospital pharmacy, as well as from his local GP for advice on ending medication.

June 2018

Physio

Richard comes out of his coma on June 25 and starts receiving treatment from the physio department within ICU. Richard suffers a brain seizure (PRES) and stroke and falls into another coma. His family is told by ICU staff there was no way back for him at that stage.

June 2018

July 2018

Speed and Language

Richard comes out of his coma after a week on July 16. He receives more treatment from the physio department within ICU. Richard also starts to receive speech and language therapy as he is unable to swallow properly following his stroke.

July 2018

X-ray

A nose tube is fitted following tests X-rays and camera throat exploratory. Continues to have X-rays to check the insertion of his nose tube.

July 2018

August 2018

Staples Ward

Richard is transferred to an isolation ward on Staples Ward to assist with the stroke recovery following 6.5 weeks in ICU. He is unable to swallow food or move his left arm and continues to receive physio, this time with the team on Staples.

August 2018

Exeter Mobility Centre

Richard receives a visit from Exeter Mobility Centre to discuss a prosthetic leg.

August 2018

Ambulance

Richard leaves hospital in an ambulance on August 13 after spending 4 weeks on Staples Ward.

August 2018

September 2018

Seamoor unit

Richard undergoes chemotherapy treatment as an outpatient at the Seamoor Unit. He has 5 injections over 5 days but returns regularly for a type of nebuliser to protect his lungs from infection.

September 2018

Lundy Ward

Richard is re-admitted to A&E (MAU) with neutropenic sepsis and spends a week in an isolation room on Lundy Ward.

September 2018

October 2018

Community Services

Richard is supported at home with equipment, bed, commode, toilet seat etc. He has regular visits from the district nurse to check his nose tube, review medication and receive physio.

October 2018

Endoscopy

Richard receives the all clear for eating normally following another video endoscopy on October 17.

October 2018

June 2023

Fundraising

Richard becomes a charity ambassador, raises over £12,000 for the ICU by completing a series of challenges including; a six-mile sponsored walk along the Tarka Trail from Bideford to the Puffing Billy in Torrington and a sponsored walk along the coast path from Ilfracombe to Lee.

June 2023

Words from Richard

“I had incredible support from North Devon District Hospital; so many things happened promptly and professionally, which means I am still here against all odds. I owe the hospital my life several times over”

Richard