Media release
Date: 19 October 2007

Helpful Hospital Hosts Needed

Waikato District Health Board is on the hunt for friendly, courteous and resourceful people who can gift a small amount of their time to be part of the team of volunteers at Waikato Hospital.

With the new parking building and main entrance almost ready for operation, more Hospital Hosts are required to ensure that patients and visitors can get assistance when they need it.

Volunteer coordinator, Chris Atkinson says Waikato Hospital currently has 164 volunteers working in a variety of positions but more are needed now than ever.

"The hospital can be a confusing place at times, especially with all the recent and upcoming changes, so we are asking for more volunteers to help visitors find their way around.

"We're looking forward to growing our number of volunteers and involving members of our community in these new developments," she said.

The Hospital Host service began in 2003 and since then hosts have provided 19,850 hours of direction, hospitality and information for patients and visitors.

Waikato Hospital volunteer, Ken Whittaker has gifted Waikato Hospital with 640 hours of his time to be a Hospital Host and says he thoroughly enjoys the role.

"I enjoy meeting and helping a wide variety of people. Hospital Hosts make the hospital a more inviting and user-friendly place to walk into so it's a great feeling to be part of that," he said.

Ken is also looking forward to helping out in the Transit Lounge, a new service for Waikato Hospital that will be used by patients either transferring to other hospitals or waiting for transport to take them home.

"This is an exciting new service being offered and a small team of volunteers will get the opportunity to be involved here as well," Ms Atkinson said.

For more information about how to become a volunteer visit the Waikato District Health Board website - www.waikatodhb.govt.nz and search "Volunteer" or phone Chris Atkinson on 07 839 8899.

Ends