§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the financial value to the NHS of the voluntary work performed by(a) the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and (b) the National League of Hospital Friends in the last three years for which figures are available. [24575]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation is not collected by the Department in the form requested.
It was recently reported in "Voluntary Sector" magazine that the Women's Royal Voluntary Service estimates that the organisation's 100,000 plus volunteers gave around 12 million hours to helping others which they value at about £70 million during the 12 month period from 2000 to 2001. During that time volunteers delivered 9 million hot and frozen meals, opened five new and refurbished hospital trading outlets and assisted at 70 emergencies and disasters.
The National Association of Hospital and Community Friends have advised that in their latest survey, conducted in 1999, Leagues of Hospital and Community Friends had 36,000 members who actively volunteered and contributed 8 million hours a year to the national health service. The survey also found that the leagues gift back £36 million per year to NHS hospitals. In addition to running traditional volunteer services such as shops, visiting and transport the leagues have increased their work in the community, both therapeutic and social support, and this now accounts for 40 per cent. of volunteers' activities.
The very significant contribution made to the health service and social services by volunteers from the Women's Royal Voluntary Service and the National Association of Hospital and Community Friends complement the efforts of staff and enhance the patient and service user experience.