FRIENDS of Okehampton Hospital have donated new equipment to the hospital to help with staff training and facilities.

The new state of the art Resusci Annes, together with a treatment couch, will allow staff to train in more detail when practising resuscitating techniques.

The new equipment cost £1,600.

New matron at Okehampton Hospital Wendy Bellamy, who moved from Bristol Royal Infirmary Hospital three months ago, said the new equipment would make a big difference to staff.

She said: 'We will use the Resusci Annes to stimulate cardiac arrests, so that nurses can have thorough training.

'We can practice the whole scenario and do an advanced assessment on the Anne.'

Wendy said the equipment meant better training and patient quality of care.

She said: 'Having the equipment enables us to regularly train and allows us to update our skills locally, rather than go further and train in Exeter.'

Chairman of Friends of Okehampton Hospital Martin Perry said: 'We are pleased to be in a position to help the hospital in this way.

'Our thanks go to the public who are always most supportive of our cause — most recently at the Okehampton Show, coffee mornings and other fundraising activities.

'We especially welcome new members and volunteers to join the committee, which amounts to 20p per week.'

At a recent Friends of Okehampton Hospital meeting, the committee agreed to provide items to assist in the refurbishment of the dining room.

The committee is looking for suitable pictures to decorate the walls, and welcomes suggestions from anyone with ideas.

Members are also participating in a Quality Patient Audit, which is part of the Productive Improvement Hospital Project.

The aim of the project is to ensure the maximum time is spent by staff in caring for patients, rather than administrative excesses.

A new refreshments trolley service for patients and visitors at Okehampton Hospital is also being re-introduced, which is due to be available next month.