Welcome

Our supporters make our work possible.

Our supporters help to make your local NHS trust a better place for patients, families and staff.

We love our local hospital. We are proud to have these facilities – filled with dedicated, hard-working staff – available to us. Most people in Kingston and the surrounding area will have been to the hospital at some point – or known a loved one who has received care here.

Kingston Hospital Charity works to improve the experience of everyone who comes to our local hospital or uses the services it provides in the community.

But, we recognise the pressures on our local NHS – and the impact these have on the experience of everyone in our community. Kingston Hospital Charity sits outside the NHS, but works closely with nurses and clinicians to identify ways that community support can quickly make real impacts on the quality of care and experience provided.

Our supporters are a vital part of our charity because it is their support that makes our work possible. When a nurse of doctor comes to us for help, it is their generosity that allows us to say ‘Yes!’.

Berenice Constable

Deputy Chief Nurse

"I come to work every day knowing the charity is there for us, helping us to enhance the care we provide to everyone we see."

Kingston Hospital – serving our community for over 180 years

The original hospital came from a workhouse infirmary that was built on the site in 1843. Enlarged over the next 50 years, it was renamed the ‘Kingston Infirmary’ in 1902 and became the Kingston and District Hospital in 1920.

Following its incorporation into the newly created NHS in 1948, the hospital has seen many additions and revisions, with new wards and buildings created for the treatment and support of local people, as well as dedicated maternity and paediatric units.

In 2008 the Sir William Rous Unit – specialising in adult cancer care – was opened following a successful multi-million pound fundraising campaign.

Kingston Hospital Charity – adding vital community support

The charity allows local people to be able to make a direct contribution to their community hospital – especially useful where people wish to support a particular department that played a role in their own or a loved one’s care experience.

At the end of 2017, the charity was relaunched and since then people, like you, from all parts of the community have come together to give their support.

That support has ensured that more wards and services have been able to improve their quality of care and the experience provided.

Today, the charity works closely with NHS colleagues to identify ways that community support and engagement can act quickly and decisively to improve the lives of patients and their families.

Judith

Hospital Patient

"Coming in to the new haematology dayroom is like entering a luxurious holiday hotel; complete with a sunny outdoor balcony. Fortunately, all the same wonderful, cheerful, caring nurses, are there too."

Here are just a few recent examples of how our supporters make life better for everyone.

In January 2024, a brand new paediatric oncology unit was opened at the hospital, thanks to the generosity of local people and organisations.

This new unit offers a calm and peaceful setting for children with cancer who have low immunity to infection, to receive their chemotherapy, intravenous antibiotics or blood tests away from other acutely ill children.

It also minimises disruption to the lives of the families who make frequent visits, as the children receive their treatment much more quickly.

The charity works alongside clinical colleagues to identify new medical equipment that will make a real difference to people’s lives – but which falls outside of the NHS budget.

One recent example was the charity’s purchase of a ‘da Vinci Xi’ surgical robot, providing surgeons with an advanced set of instruments to perform robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery – all thanks to the generosity of a local resident.

This state-of-the art system is controlled by the surgeon whose hand movements are translated in real time, bending and rotating the instruments while performing the procedure. For patients it means faster recovery times, a shorter hospital stay and better surgical outcomes.

The role of innovation is crucial in helping to tackle some of the challenges the NHS is facing, while making a significant difference to the lives of patients.

When orthodontic consultant, Dr Chris Donaldson, set out his vision for utilising 3D design and printing in a hospital setting, the charity was able to respond, thanks to public donations, by funding the construction of a bespoke facility in Princess Alexandra Wing.

This means, for patients requiring orthodontic appliances and custom-fit hearing aids, these can now be digitally designed and 3D printed on-site, in as little as just a few hours. In addition, there is a reduced need for these patients to attend appointments. This facility also introduces 3D virtual surgical planning, enabling the surgeon to plan the best approach for patients undergoing complex facial surgery.

A key priority of the charity is to support the staff we all rely on. We want to make their working experience the very best it can be and to let them know how grateful we are for their tireless service and commitment.

In recent years, community support has enabled the creation of an indoor wellbeing area and an outdoor garden and meeting space, providing welcoming, comfortable spaces in which staff can work – or take a much-needed break.

During the pandemic, we ensured staff had access to counselling and psychological support, helping them to cope with the enormous stresses placed upon them by COVID-19. We also paid for new staff facilities – such as a large new bike shed that allows staff to cycle to work, knowing their bike will be safe and secure during their shift.

Jo Farrar

NHS Trust Chief Executive

“We are so grateful to everyone who supports us. The evidence of their impact on helping our patients experience excellent patient care can be seen across our NHS trust.”

We know that our Kingston Hospital and the exceptional care its staff provide, is a valued and precious local resource that many people want to support.

Donations

We welcome every donation of any amount. On our website, you will find our current list of projects and how your gift will make an immediate difference to local care.

Regular Giving

Many people prefer to give smaller amounts to the charity on a regular (usually monthly) basis; it’s a more affordable way of making a larger contribution over time.

Giving in Wills

We are privileged to have been left Gifts in Wills on many occasions. These thoughtful, considered gifts have made possible many wonderful improvements over recent years.

Fundraising

Our charity is wonderfully supported by hundreds of local people each year; all engaging in fun and sometimes challenging activities to raise money for our work. Every year, we support local fundraisers – of all ages and abilities – in a range of events and activities.

Jayesh Kothari

Hospital Patient and Charity Supporter

"As a patient, I have seen the benefit the charity’s work delivers. Now, as a supporter, I know I can trust them to use my contribution to improve the lives of others."

Kingston Hospital is your hospital – and Kingston Hospital Charity is your charity. We are here to help people to support the hospital they care for – and the patients, families and staff within it.

We are always happy to discuss how you may wish to become involved – and to support you to make the right choices about any support you may wish to give in the future. We always have a list of funding priorities we can share with you, so you can direct your giving to where you want it to go.

Your can email us at krft.charity@nhs.net or call us on 020 8973 5040. Our friendly team works from the charity office, right next to the hospital’s main entrance. We will always be delighted to welcome you should you want to visit.

If you would like to know more about Kingston Hospital Charity, how we’re working to improve the lives of patients, families and staff – or how you can further support local care - please do get in touch.

From us all - Thank You.