Official opening of the refurbished Minor Injuries Unit
Icing on the cake: At the MIU opening Facelift: The MIU is officially opened
Chairman of the League of Friends of Sevenoaks Hospital Ian Philip has officially opened the newly refurbished Minor Injuries Unit (MIU).
The League of Friends helped to kit out the area with equipment including stethoscopes, dressing trolleys and an eye examination chart.
Ian said he was “very honoured” to cut the ribbon at the event on March 2. He explained: “The League of Friends is delighted with this latest phase of the improvements to our local hospital and have committed £10,000 of our funds for additional equipment in the department to mark its opening.
“I am sure that the residents of Sevenoaks and, indeed, the wider area will really appreciate this excellent new facility.”
NHS West Kent’s facelift involved adding a new front to the building, a new waiting area and treatment rooms.
Rachel Nicholls, Modern Matron at the MIU, said: “The improvements are a real boost for people in and around Sevenoaks. The area is now more inviting for patients, and we hope it encourages more people to use the service for their minor injuries.”
MIUs are for injuries that need attention but are not life threatening. These include fractures, cuts, sprains and strains, animal bites or stings and minor burns. Patients are treated by highly specialised nurse practitioners and emergency nurse practitioners.
Rachel added: “Unless your injury is serious or life threatening, your local MIU is the best place to have your condition treated. You don’t need to make an appointment, you’ll have shorter waiting times than you would at A&E and you’ll get high quality care.
“You’ll also help keep emergency departments available for people who urgently need them.”
Mark Shepherd Managing Director of West Kent Community Heath said that the League of Friends had played a vital role in ensuring the hospital’s continued success.
The MIU is open 8am to 8pm every day, 365 days a year. The X-ray facility is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
*The League of Friends has just provided 13 new electric beds to enhance patient comfort.
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Friends stalwarts thanked 
Shaking hands: Roger Hope (left) Loyal servant: Tessa Murray says
takes over as President from Jonathan Balcon goodbye after more than 20 years
Presentations were made to three long-serving members of the League of Friends of Sevenoaks Hospital committee who retired at the annual general meeting on July 7, 2009.
Tessa Murray stepped down after more than 20 years as secretary. Chairman Roger Hope said: “Tessa has been an absolute stalwart for the past 20 years and the League could not have run without her. She has been an complete focal point for everything and words cannot describe the support she has given the league.
Roger himself stepped down as Chairman having originally taken on the role for three years and ending up serving 16. He will now take over the Presidency from Jonathan Balcon who tirelessly led a the £200,000 campaign to build the hydrotherapy pool a few years ago.
Jonathan said he was entering his 79th year and would reiterate the historic quote: “Whereas I don’t think I made too many mistakes, I think it is time I went!”
Tessa and Roger had been the mainstay of the committee, he explained.
Ian Philip was elected as Chairman, Lee-anne Robinson as secretary and Chris Dent as treasurer.
Sevenoaks to play key role - see Chairman's report (PDF 11KB).
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Photographic competition winners
Shifting scenes: Competition winners Mary Allwood, Champagne and roses: Mary Allwood is thanked by Chairman
Joyce Shaw and Celia Smith Roger Hope
The Changing Face of Sevenoaks has been portrayed by three enterprising winners of a photography competition organised by the Friends of Sevenoaks Hospital. The contest was won by Mary Allwood for her picture of Black’s Yard, near the Black Boy pub.
Mary said: “I was surprised and delighted to win the first prize in the competition, especially as I thought the subject was quite difficult, and also because I had encouraged the Sevenoaks U3A Photography Group, which I lead, to enter. “I was of course particularly pleased that two other members of the Group won the second and third prizes.”
This is the third competition run by the Friends and Mary won the first contest and also had a picture accepted in the second. The runner-up was Celia Smith who pictured the Mexican restaurant Zapata in London Road - which at different times in its history was the local Job Centre and Lady Boswell’s School. Third prize went to Joyce Shaw for her photo taken near Chez Gèrard Brasserie.
All the pictures are now on display in the hospital’s out-patients’ department.
Friends Chairman Roger Hope said he was impressed with the high quality of photographs entered. He explained: “The competition was originally designed to provide a number of pictures for the walls in the hospital which would remind patients and staff of the area in which the hospital operates.
“It was felt that photographs of the Sevenoaks area would be more inspiring than the standard prints you often find in hospitals.”
Mary is a volunteer garden guide at Ightham Mote and three years ago her pictures showing the Mote through four seasons formed the first exhibition to be staged in the undercroft area (more pictures). 
Third prize: Joyce Shaw Bouquets: The winning trio Runner up: Celia Smith
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Christmas Fayre
The event was a huge success with visitors of all ages and the main building was packed with a variety of stalls manned by hospital staff and members of the League of Friends. Local medical practices donated festive hampers.
League of Friends Chairman Roger Hope said: “The Christmas Fayre was a great success with plenty of visitors - raising £2,000 in spite of the dismal weather. We are very grateful to all the members of staff who worked so hard to make it such a wonderful day."
Local author Graham Cawley was there to sign his books and is donating proceeds to the hospital.
Festive fun: Stallholders display their wares at the Christmas Fayre and are joined by author Graham Cawley on November 29