volunteer pathology lab runner, Grahame Laing
As part of Volunteers Week 2019 (June 1-7), we are looking at some of the volunteer roles around Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
A daily walk of more than seven miles is nothing for volunteer pathology lab runner, Grahame Laing.
Grahame prides himself on getting blood samples from Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s Macmillan Unit to the pathology lab as quickly as possible so patients can receive timely care.
“It is important for patients to get their results quickly so they can receive treatment,” Grahame explained. “This requires me taking the test from the Macmillan Unit to the Path lab, a round trip of half a mile.
“Some days I can do this trip 14 times meaning I cover more than seven miles a day. It certainly keeps me fit.”
But fitness is not the only benefit for Grahame, a former Blackpool Transport Chief Inspector and NHS worker.
“Volunteering is incredibly fulfilling. I worked at the hospital before I retired and loved the job. A short period after leaving work, I came back as a volunteer and that has really filled the void between work and retirement.
“I missed the people I used to work with and now I am part of a team again. I would advise anyone to think about hospital volunteering because it is so rewarding.”
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Blackpool Victoria or Clifton Hospital, you are welcome to attend these recruitment events:
Monday, June 3 – Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s mezzanine, 11am until 2pm
Thursday, June 4 – Clifton Hospital, Pershore Road, Lytham St Annes, 12 until 3pm
For any further details, please ring 01253 957399 or email bfwh.volunteers@nhs.net