Was a member of your family ever a member of the Linen League in Carlisle? Do you know what the Linen League was? I certainly didn’t until recently.
The Linen League was a band of dedicated women whose role was to raise funds to purchase bedding and nurses uniforms and also to repair the bedding and uniforms at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle. The League’s activities, as far as I understand, ran up until the beginning of the welfare state and the creation of the National Health Service. I’m not sure if other cities and towns had Linen Leagues, but I’m pretty sure they will have done.
We’re about to enter a period of unprecedented austerity in public finances. What this will mean for the National Health Service is not yet known. All political parties have foresworn their commitment to the NHS, but out of necessity huge savings will have to be made.
I’m not suggesting we should go back to the days of the Linen League, but unless you’re closely involved in the life of hospitals and health services you may not know just how many volunteers and local charities already provide direct and indirect support to patients. Organisations such as the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service are still involved in providing coffee bars and book loan services. My own organisation has made grants to the Hospital Radio in Westmorland General Hospital and they have some of the most up to date programming and technology available in the world of radio.
As more and more is known about particular medical conditions the need for information and advice escalates. The internet is a wonderful tool, but having someone who can actually decipher the papers and talk from experience is vital. The range of cancer charities and condition specific support groups, often run by people with direct experience of an illness, are invaluable.
The importance of facilities provided near to home was demonstrated hugely a few years ago when thousands of Cumbrians took to the streets in support of their cottage hospitals. These same hospitals all have ‘leagues of friends’ who still continue the legacy of the Linen League.
These services already exist and are testament to people’s willingness and interest in giving up their time for others. So what can we expect as we go forward? We know how expensive it is to treat people in hospital and how much people normally prefer to be in their own, infection free, homes.
But after 60 years of the NHS how prepared are we to give back and do more? This article is available as blog on www.cumbriafoundation.org. If you have a view and want to continue the discussion please visit it and let me have your thoughts.
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