London Hospital Goes Back to its Roots in the UK’s First Major Free Medical Care Initiative to Celebrate 125 Years
London Hospital Goes Back to its Roots in the UK’s First Major Free Medical Care Initiative to Celebrate 125 Years
A charity-based independent hospital in Kingston-Upon-Thames is giving away £125,000 worth of free medical care to patients in around the local community to celebrate turning 125 years in June 2023.
New Victoria Hospital, founded in 1898, has launched its Community Champion Initiative to celebrate its 125-year anniversary. The initiative will support the wider patient community and anyone in the UK with a compelling story.
The Community Champion Initiative Fund
As New Victoria Hospital has been a long advocate of community support, the Hospital aims to continue its philanthropic ethos by inspiring others to highlight stories, accounts, and people. Anybody who faces the daily struggle of debilitating conditions from a physical and mental point of view, and keep pushing through their symptoms and fight for a good quality of life is encouraged to apply. The Hospital has allocated £125,000 for selected applicants in need of treatment for a health condition. This will include receiving free consultations, screenings, scans, treatment (surgical and non-surgical) and any necessary post-op treatment to help improve their quality of life.
“Rebel” Hospital Ethos
CEO David Marshall says, “New Victoria Hospital was initially founded as a charity by a group of doctors and GPs who wanted to support its community by offering free treatment to patients as an independent hospital. Since its foundation, the Hospital has offered a considerable number of pro bono treatments to support the local community. In modern times, it evolved and is now one of the most respected hospitals in the independent sector which still has maintained its charitable arm. The Hospital acknowledges that many people are currently facing health struggles for which they are awaiting treatment and are finding it difficult to access the support they need. In the spirit of ‘building together’, the Hospital is calling on individuals across the UK to apply for treatment. This initiative could be a lifeline for many patients keen to get back to optimal health through necessary treatment, care, and attention. It has been a challenging few years, so we want to continue to demonstrate our commitment to the wider patient community who have shown resilience, generosity, and care to others despite their own health struggles”.
Application process
The Community Champion Initiative is particularly focused on helping those who have struggled to access life-changing operations for an extended period and those facing difficulties in accessing the necessary resources or finances to improve their health. The Hospital is particularly keen to hear from individuals with inspiring life stories to share, encompassing narratives of triumph or who simply need access to treatment. Applicants can apply for themselves or for a friend or family member with their consent.
Applications will be evaluated from a clinical and ethical perspective by an appointed selection committee made up of local community ambassadors, members of the Hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, Hospital staff, Hospital board directors and The Victoria Foundation trustees, the parent charity of the Hospital. To be considered for the Community Champion Initiative Fund, applications must be submitted by the 11th of September 2023 via the New Victoria Hospital website. Selected applicants will be contacted by the 2nd of October 2023, and early applications are strongly recommended, especially for urgent cases.
For more information or questions on the Community Champion Initiative, email probono@newvictoria.co.uk.
