Hospital volunteers' group sees rapid growth

An association grouping hospital volunteers is celebrating its first anniversary today, buoyed by a rapid increase in its membership.

VolServ was launched shortly before the migration of hospital services to Mater Dei, and, in the words of Joe Cassar, parliamentary secretary for health, it played a key role in facilitating the process.

The association started with 40 dedicated volunteers and had grown to 70 in November and now has 140. Their age varies from 17 to over 70.

The volunteers help patients and visitors at Mater Dei Hospital, and Claudia Taylor East, who spoke for the group, said they now hoped to extend their help to community health care services. Pilot projects will be launched with this aim in mind.

Dr Cassar praised and thanked the volunteers for their services and augured that the association would continue to grow.