Volunteers dedicate time in number of areas at hospital

IT'S all about helping other people.

That's why volunteer Trish Yocklunn spends her spare time at Rockhampton Hospital.

Whether it's holding someone's hand or simply talking to them, she said it's important to be there for someone else is their time of need.

"It's the feeling that you are giving to people," Trish said.

"In Palliative Care it makes a real difference when you can touch the patient without being a nurse or a doctor poking or prodding."

Volunteers are an important part of the Rockhampton Hospital team and the service is about to be expanded even further.

The hospital volunteers will soon be co-ordinated through the Social Work unit, with a dedicated co-ordinator employed to assign volunteers and provide training.

Rockhampton Hospital executive director Jennifer Gale said the hospital volunteers were valued members of the team, providing an amazing service to patients.

"We recognise the wonderful service these generous people provide, and this is why we're about to provide more resources to recruiting and training more volunteers," Ms Gale said.

Volunteers already provide their services to BreastScreen, Renal Unit, Palliative Care Unit, Reception and the library trolley and the hospital is looking forward to expanding the services as more volunteers join the team.

The hospital will be recruiting more volunteers in the coming months.