The League of Friends of the Bexhill Hospital CIO

09/02/2026

We are again offering the beach hut for carers to use, booking a date on the QR code or link https://form.jotform.com/220712578325051

08/02/2026

Yesterday, by kind permission of Julie, Tesco Bexhill Community Champion, and arranged by League Vice-Chairman Molly Dowling, a few of our Trustees spent the day in Tesco Bexhill raising awareness of how the League supports local patients, and has done since 1952.

Thank you to the staff at Tesco Bexhill and those who came to visit our stand.

Did you know? We have provided £12.5m worth of medical equipment and other aids for the benefit of Bexhill patients in the last 25 years alone.

Interested in becoming a member or looking to renew your membership?
VISIT: https://form.jotform.com/Bexhill/bexhill-lof-membership

31/12/2025

27/12/2025

Every good Christmas story should have a happy ending. This one is no exception.

The last time League of Friends committee members were able to undertake their traditional Christmas Morning visit to the Irvine Unit bearing gifts for the patients was before the COVID lock-down.

Since then, COVID, Norovirus and Influenza outbreaks have precluded the personal bed-side hand-over each year.

Sadly, Christmas 2025 looked like being another repeat. However, all ended well.

Colleagues gathered beneath the Christmas tree in the reception area on Monday 22nd December 2025 to receive Nigel (Chair) and Lynda (Trustee) and two cars full of goodies and to thank them.

It looked like it would be left to Irvine Unit staff to distribute the gifts on behalf of the League.

Then came a last minute message. Would the League like to undertake its first Christmas Morning visit of the decade?

At short notice, Nigel (Chair), Molly (Vice-Chairman) and John (President) turned out. Kindly guided by Tanya, they loaded a trolley and toured the bedded bays and single rooms in the decorated unit bringing a little Christmas cheer.

24/12/2025

The League of Friends of The Bexhill Hospital CIO would like to extend their warmest wishes to all, hoping that this Christmas be filled with love, laughter, peace and happiness.

Thank you to everybody that has supported the League over the last 12 months, and we look forward to seeing what the next year brings for us.

Special thanks must go to our wonderful NHS staff who will be working over the festive period.

14/12/2025

Santa’s Elves* working hard packing individual Christmas gift bags for the Irvine Unit.

*Also known as Lynda Kivity-Ray (Trustee) and Molly Dowling (Vice-Chairman).

11/12/2025

After the Irvine Unit (originally the Bexhill Geriatric Unit) opened four decades ago it left the kitchen in the main hospital block, which later went over to outpatient service and the inpatients way down at the bottom of the site in the Irvine Unit. Various League initiatives over the years (decades!) to fund the transfer of the kitchen failed.

At one stage, hospital staff were using a League-funded electric van to transfer food from one building to the other. Now League and Trust representatives have had the pleasure of celebrating the fact that the Irvine Unit now has its own kitchen.

On Wednesday, December 10th, in answer to Catering Services Manager Martin Gurney’s
invitation to a “party,” Trust and League representatives gathered in the Conservatory where refreshments were being served. Martin Gurney summed up the transformation: “It makes such a difference for the team.” Trust Assistant Director of Facilities Michelle Clements thanked the League for funding the transformation and for all its “amazing” work on behalf of patients and staff.

07/12/2025

29/11/2025

The League of Friends has lost a true friend and a highly effective and ever-enthusiastic partner with the death of Irvine Unit Chaplain the Rev. Neville Barnett.

Neville once described the Irvine Unit as “the jewel in Bexhill’s crown.” He was
whole-hearted in his support for the work of the unit and for the dedication and commitment of its staff.

Neville was a firm believer in the healing power of music and a great admirer of the Arts In Healthcare service which brings live music into the hospital environment.

The League of Friends will sorely miss a true friend. We send our sincere sympathy both to Janet and to their son, Ian, who was often among his Father’s chosen artists where Arts In Healthcare service was concerned.

"Sleep well, dear friend. May you find eternal rest."

24/11/2025

Patients take on Stroke Assocation’s challenge and beat it by miles!

Patients and staff at Bexhill Irving Unit, and Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital, joined forces in October to take on the Stoke Association’s '62 miles in October' challenge, and raise money at the same time.

But the teams not only met the Stroke Associations challenge, they beat it by a long way, cycling the equivalent of 324.39km or 201.56 miles!

Julie-Anne Neuss, Service Manager – Intermediate care said: “Patients undergoing rehabilitation in Bexhill Irvine Unit and Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital joined forces to cycle 62 miles in October 2025. The teams consisted of patients who had suffered a stroke, but also a number of other patients, including spinal injuries, fractures and frailty; all working together for a shared goal.”

Thank you to everyone involved in this spectacular achievement and for raising £610 for the Stroke Association.

https://www.esht.nhs.uk/2025/11/21/patients-take-on-stroke-assocations-challenge-and-beat-it-by-miles/

09/11/2025

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.