A MAJOR £1million charity appeal has been launched by a hospital charity.

The appeal by ELHT&Me, the official charity of East Lancashire Hospitals Trust (ELHT), aims to raise funds to invest in new equipment and improve facilities.

It also aims to ‘enhance the patient environment’ at ELHT’s five hospitals – Royal Blackburn and Burnley General Teaching hospitals and community hospitals Accrington Victoria, Clitheroe and Pendle.

The appeal will focus on improvements that are ‘over and above’ normal NHS provision, such as specialised medical equipment and better patient facilities.

This includes defibrillators used at Royal Blackburn and Burnley hospitals to revive patients when they have a cardiac arrest.

ELHT&Me fundraising manager Denise Gee said: “The appeal aims to improve patient experience across East Lancashire.

“We want to engage with businesses, the community and the whole of East Lancashire.

“It’s not just money donations we need. People can donate in other ways, such as putting art up in the hospital for people to enjoy in waiting areas.

“This appeal aims to enable East Lancashire to have the best equipment and facilities and be cutting edge in everything we do.”

The appeal will raise much-needed funds to make improvements in seven areas, children and babies’ health, support cancer patients, improving equipment and women’s health.

Other areas include men’s health, making patient areas more friendly and improving the patient experience.

Damian Riley, medical director for ELHT said: “This is all about improving patient experience.

“Having a charity arm to the hospital is nothing new as there are similar things in place at Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Christie Hospital.”

Arif Patel, medical equipment manager at ELHT said: “Supporting the £1 million appeal means the trust can provide more of the vital medical equipment our doctors and nurses rely on.

“For example, equipment such as defibrillators used at Royal Blackburn and Burnley hospitals to revive patients when they have a cardiac arrest.”

People and companies interested in supporting the appeal can hold their own fundraising event and visit the ELHT&Me donation page at www.elht.nhs.uk/elht-and-me or call the charity team on 01254 732140 to make a donation.