THE League of Friends of Bridgwater Hospital and Community recently presented the hospital with an array of state-of-the-art equipment worth more than £25,000.

The new items were requested by staff to help them make their jobs better, safer and more efficient, as well as helping patients as it would save many travelling to Taunton for treatment.

League president Judith Allen was joined by chairman Mary Porter, vice chairman Audrey Washer and treasurer visited the hospital to hand over the equipment to the pleased hospital staff.

The Out-Patients Department received a Diathermy machine, the Waverley Wards received a Digital Reminiscence Computer, fall alarms and a new ward trolley - a former medicine trolley that has been recycled and upgraded with the help of the matron Norma Coombes.

The final equipment donation was a Vital Signs monitor worth £700 for the Ambulatory Care department.

The next stop was outside where the league has purchased a new bench in memory of former president Clifford Searle. His widow said ‘Clifford would have been so proud to know that we had given this seat to remember him’.

Chairman Mary Porter said: “Now that the presentations are over, the League of Friends has set its sights on raising £13,000 to purchase a new bariatric bed.

“Our first fundraiser for this is a Race Night which anyone is welcome to attend, and there will be a Summer Fayre and Table Top Sale later in the year.”