Students donate presents for patients

Students from Westcliff High School for Boys donated Christmas presents for patients being cared for on a ward for older adults.

Members of the school’s Medical, Dental and Veterinary (MDV) Society led the fundraising for Beech ward at Rochford Hospital. The ward is part of the mental health services for older adults run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.

They presented the gifts on Tuesday 17 December and the medical and nursing teams gave them a tour of the ward to explain their work.

The students learned about neuroimaging and psychopharmacology and were shown how to check people’s vital signs and how to carry out an electrocardiogram.

Dr Ivan Shanley, Consultant Psychiatrist in old age psychiatry, said: “This looks to be the start of an exciting relationship between the ward and the school, and the team on Beech ward would like to say a huge thank you to the students of Westcliff High School for Boys who provided gifts, which will mean so much to patients this Christmas.”

Staff hope to support the MDV Society to encourage students interested in a healthcare career to pursue their goals.

The school’s music department is also planning some musical performances for patients next year.