21 January 2008. This news release issued by Epsom Hospital Equipment Fund

Patients and their relatives / escorts attending the Day Care Unit at Epsom General Hospital will now have a more comfortable visit thanks to the addition of new settees and chairs.

The new furniture which will be used by those waiting to be admitted or during treatment has been specifically purchased to colour coordinate with the settees on the lower levels of the hospital. The practical side of the chairs was the major factor in their selection however, as they have strong wooden arms so people are able to sit or stand from them easily.

In the actual Day Care Unit itself, two patient chairs and a reclining chair have also been added. The reclining chair is of special benefit if a patient suddenly feels faint following surgery, as the nursing staff are able to put a patient in a reclining position with little effort. The furniture purchased by Epsom Medical Equipment Fund cost £1,800 and was made possible through a generous donation by ExxonMobil.

Dr. Roger McKechnie from ExxonMobil was on hand to present the new chairs to Jenny Brodrick, senior sister Day Case Unit, who is delighted with the new arrivals as they replace badly worn chairs. Dr McKechnie, who works in the Medicine and Occupational Health department within ExxonMobil, said: "We are pleased to be able to support Epsom Hospital in this way and we hope that the chairs make everyone's visit a little more comfortable."

Bess Harding, fund co-ordinator of Epsom Medical Equipment Fund, said: "We would like to thank ExxonMobil for their generosity which has made a tremendous difference both in the appearance and comfort of the waiting area and to the day patients who have need of the chairs whilst recovering from day surgery."