Praise for King’s Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Fakenham Sports and Fitness Centre
In his weekly Wensum column, Fakenham writer Jim Harding has praise for his local hospital and sports centre…
There has been some criticism of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lynn over recent times. This is not my small attempt to participate but having been given invaluable help by the hospital on a few occasions I would certainly wave the flag in its praise.
Years back, in some pain, my wife called 999 and I was whisked there late one evening in some discomfort. An emergency op was carried out without delay, about which I remember virtually nothing. On waking up in bed and attached to a number of tubes, I heard my name called and was pleased to respond. My surgeon met me briefly to ask how I was and my one regret has always been that, although I thanked him, I should have been more complimentary.
I had to stay put for a few days and was well looked after. There followed a slow process of recovery but within weeks I was back to relative good health, after being ferried back to Fakenham by our eldest son who had offered to drive across from his home in Newmarket.
More recently I've been attended for a more minor condition which needs attention. I was anticipating a long wait to be seen and wondering about going private despite the four-figure cost. To my delight, a call advised that I could be seen early and soon after, an operation date in March was confirmed. The pre-op procedures were excellent and made me feel confident. As I no longer drive, my wife obliged and was also able to attend all the talking sessions. Adding these connections together, I've learnt to appreciate that the hospital, sometimes in difficult circumstances, is a service to be proud of and has certainly provided this individual with plenty to be grateful for. To all who work there, in whatever capacity - thank you.
I still attend Fakenham Sports and Fitness Centre on a regular basis but these days my commitment is far less energetic. A class by the ever-present Helen called Sit and Be Fit is gentle enough for the mainly elderly to thoroughly enjoy and benefit from. On one morning I join what I call the Friday Club which is both a social encounter and a place of entertainment, with refreshments provided.
My personal contribution is to read a poem. Sometimes I have learnt this by heart, always a difficult skill which becomes more so with age. It is appreciated from the response I'm given. A big plus to me is that members of the staff who occupy the desk at reception often join us briefly, which I reckon is an excellent measure of support. All of us need this at times.
The centre provides a wide range of activities for all ages and whilst we are benefiting in company with our contemporaries, youngsters are letting off steam in the adjacent gym along with plenty of instructors. Judging by the squeals of delight this is a great success, not just appreciated by the children but, I reckon, by their parents.
Future developments at this end of Trap Lane include a new swimming pool. This much-needed facility would lead to the loss of the former play-group centre alongside the main building which also plays home to the local music society. Some controversy continues to surround this initiative.
Another, more surprising fact, is that bats could also be a significant part of the equation. They apparently like to nest in the building and as a protected species could cause either delay or abandonment of the project. I hope not but we must wait and see what takes place in the months to come. If I can sum up my appreciation of the sports centre, it would be the presence of all there who have encouraged me to attend on a regular basis, the opportunity to get fit and stay fit, the fact that our three sons and my wife have also joined me on numerous occasions and the pleasure I now get from walking on a daily basis and generally looking after myself better than I otherwise might have done. Long may it continue.
