OXFORD’S new City Community Hospital says it is in “dire need” of a league of friends to help with fundraising and undertake volunteer activities.

The hospital, based on the seventh floor of the John Radcliffe Hospital, replaced Oxford Community Hospital, the 26-bed unit at the Churchill Hospital, which closed in May last year after an outbreak of superbug clostridium difficile.

Ward manager Paul Irving is urging people to give up their time and help the hospital “run the best service it can”.

He said: “We are in dire need of a league of friends to help fundraise for the hospital, and for volunteers to help within the hospital.”

Apart from providing extra equipment and comforts for patients and staff through fundraising he said league members could help out by volunteering on the wards.

He said: “This could be in the form of activities such as bed-making, beauty therapy, helping feed patients, flower arranging or administrative duties.”

For 15 months before the opening, patients living in Oxford had to go to one of eight other community hospitals around the county.

The £250,000 20-bed unit, which looks after people following major surgery or treatment, is only temporary, with a permanent centre due to open two floors down in the summer.

Mr Irving said league of friends organisations had made an impact at other county hospitals.

He added: “In Bicester they bought exercise equipment for the patients and in Didcot they paid for a Wii Fit console.

“League of friends groups can make a real difference by helping with all the extra items and services not provided by the NHS.

“It will help us run the best service we can and will benefit both staff and patients.

“This is a rewarding and worthwhile cause, and if you can spare a couple of hours each week, it would be greatly appreciated.”

If you would like to be a league of friends volunteer, or send a contribution to the funds it raises for the hospital, call Mr Irving on 01865 572712.