RNOH patients strike gold with Naomi!

Posted by Sam Bowie on 13 November 2013

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital was delighted to welcome sporting hero and Ambassador of its Redevelopment Appeal Naomi Riches to Stanmore last week.

Since becoming an Appeal Ambassador earlier this year, Naomi has worked tirelessly to help raise awareness and funding for the £15 million rebuilding programme planned at the RNOH’s Stanmore site. Her visit last week was aimed specifically at raising awareness of the new facilities planned for The Children and Young People’s Ward as part of the planned redevelopment of the hospital.

Naomi was accompanied by photographers and members of the press, and several children were delighted to see their pictures in the paper the following day! Naomi spent several hours chatting to many of the patients on the ward, including 8-year-old Anna Mewett, who is recovering from bone cancer, and 17-year-old Tegan Webber, who had undergone hip surgery the previous day. Sharon Moss, whose daughter is currently undergoing treatment at the RNOH, said, “My daughter was thrilled to meet Naomi three days after surgery - it really lifted her spirits.”

Naomi, who is registered blind, won a gold medal in the mixed coxed four rowing at the 2012 Paralympics. She said: “I just love coming here, just to see the faces of the kids, and it’s a great chance to talk to them. I’m from Harrow and have always known about the hospital because my dad was treated here and my mum works here so it is close to my heart. Visiting really makes you realise what some children and teenagers are going through.”

Over 8,000 children come to the RNOH for treatment each year and many will return annually for surgical intervention, often with extended lengths of stay. The planned modern Children and Young People’s Ward will make each child feel as comfortable as possible while they undergo life-changing medical treatment. Amongst the developments planned are enhanced equipment for patient rooms, state-of-the-art bedside entertainment systems, and a superb new outdoor recreation area, which will benefit young patients’ psychological and physical wellbeing.

Rosie Stolarski, Director of Fundraising and Development, said: "The focus on the care of children is at the core of the RNOH. The new facility will place young inpatients in a central ward, allowing them to be cared for by their parents and our medical staff in a homely environment, but with direct access to excellent medical services when they need it.”