KGH Auxiliary programs
Artistic Outreach
The goal of Artistic Outreach is to provide patients with poster art that will offer some diversion and make their room feel more comfortable. This program is offered on four patient care floors. Volunteers visit the units weekly with the album and then deliver the chosen art piece and hang it in the patient’s room. The artwork depicts a variety of scenes; everything from the Masters to pictures of animals.
Family Service Unit
The Family Service committee of the KGH Auxiliary maintains an area located within the hospital devoted to families of critical ill patients from outside Kingston. The area consists of nine rooms (including showers) that can accommodate up to 15 beds. A crib is available as well as a kitchenette. Complimentary tea, coffee and cookies are provided by the Auxiliary.
To access this area, a referral must be made to the KGH Social Worker. There is no charge for the use of these facilities but donations are welcomed.
HUGS (Helping Us Grow Strong)
Families in need receive baby packages containing two receiving blankets, a sweater & hat set, sleepers, gently used clothing and a handmade quilt. The items are either donated or solicited from members of Auxiliary or the community. The program is administered through Social Work.
Small blankets and hats are also supplied to NICU and Connell 5. As well, NICU, Connell 5 and Emergency are supplied with bereavement quilts and envelopes as required. Warm lap blankets and slippers for long term stay patients as well as clothing and blankets for Pediatric patients are supplied as needed. This program is administered by Social Work.
You can help by knitting/donating or picking up these items for us in the community. Contact the KGH Auxiliary office 613-549-6666 ext. 6352 or the HUGS program coordinator at 613-634-7815.
Library
Magazines and paperback books are distributed to patient waiting rooms and to the sunrooms on each floor. Volunteers visit these areas weekly to ensure a good supply and to dispose of worn out copies.
Donations of magazines and books are always welcome and may be dropped off at the Help Desk in the main lobby.
Maternity Services
Expectant parents can take advantage of the organized tours of the Labour & Delivery and Obstetrical Units for expectant parents. Tour reservations and details are available through the Volunteer Office 613-548-2359.
Most new moms receive a visit from a KGH Auxiliary Volunteer who issues the baby registration forms and other helpful literature.
Millennium Endowment Fund
The KGH Auxiliary Millennium Education Endowment Fund was created in December 1999 to mark the occasion of the new millennium.
The ongoing source of funding, through realized investment earnings, focuses on educational initiatives across the broad range of health professional fields at KGH. These may include certificate programs on new technologies/techniques or other innovative practices learned at other institutions that will directly enhance patient care at KGH.
The fund is administered by the KGH Foundation and the annual income is disbursed to applicants as approved by a committee comprised of Auxiliary members, KGH nursing staff and a member of Leadership and Learning Services.
As of 2010, $37,496.00 has been disbursed to various KGH learners.
Patient Comforts
The Patient Comfort service delivers small items for personal care for the unexpected hospital stay. These may be toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, hairbrushes and safety razors. Other items may be honoured upon special request.
For those patients who must remain in hospital during the holidays, volunteers visit on Christmas Eve and hand out small Christmas ornaments to each patient.
Special Care
Trained volunteers visit patients who require that extra special touch.
All Auxiliary volunteers have taken the palliative care training course and work with staff to ensure patients’ needs are met. They also provide respite time for family visitors as needed.
Patients may be referred by staff or at the request of family.