A NEW piece of equipment which helps hospice patients to stand up has been purchased with the help of a £954 donation.

Forest Holme Hospice in Poole was given the funds by JP Morgan's Customer Relations Committee to buy the ReTurn, which allows people to use a ladder to transfer their weight.

It stimulates the natural pattern of movement of somebody going from sitting to standing, while at the same time strengthening the muscles and functional ability. Patients can be moved from a bed to a chair, or over a short distance to an en-suite facility without any heavy lifting being required.

Libby Obbard, therapies technician at the hospice, which cares for people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, said: "Some of the patients on our ward are often weak and frail due to the advanced nature of their illness.

"As a result, the nurses need the capabilities and strength to carefully assist patients in standing, moving and turning and the ‘ReTurn’ is ideal for this."

She added that they have also purchased ReTurn belts, which provide greater support and stability for those less able to stand for short periods, and a OneWaySlide mat, which enables nurses to help the patient move into a more comfortable position in a chair.

Neill Murray, a member of the J.P. Morgan Community Relations Committee, said that they were 'delighted' to be able to help the hospice's patients.