WITH pressures on the NHS at an all-time high Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which looks after Kidderminster Hospital, has said it wants more volunteers to help out.

More than 800 people already volunteer, but the trust wants even more to help patients who struggle with eating.

The trust said helping to feed people will enable patients to recover quicker and leave hospital at the earliest opportunity - thus freeing up a bed for someone else.

It is part of a campaign by Helpforce, which helps the NHS organise volunteering, to double the number working in the NHS by 2021.

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We are always on the lookout for more volunteers to join us and help provide a high quality service to patients and visitors at our hospitals.

“We have responded to Helpforce’s offer to help recruit more volunteers and would welcome assistance in encouraging greater numbers to apply, in particular those who would be interested in being trained to help with assisted feeding.

“Across our three hospitals in Worcestershire we have over 800 volunteers who last year gave an incredible 60,000 hours of their time to help out the local NHS.

Healthwatch Worcestershire supported the initiative, but added that the volunteers were not a replacement for full-time staff.

Peter Pinfield, chairman of Healthwatch Worcestershire, said: “Volunteers are key for carrying out a range of work.

"They help provide an efficient, safe and caring experience in hospital. It’s not a substitute for full-time staff."

He added: "I’d want to make sure volunteers are used properly, the good people of Worcestershire are keen to come forward and offer to help.

"The trust should train and support them properly.”