Volunteer Programs

Auxiliary Volunteer Programs

The Dartmouth General Hospital Auxiliary, with approximately 200 members, provides between 17,000 and 20,000 hours of volunteer service each year to the Dartmouth General Hospital. Through its volunteer efforts, the DGH Auxiliary raises funds to purchase essential hospital equipment and to deliver non-medical services. The Auxiliary encourages teenage volunteers, provides opportunity for members to participate in educational programs and conferences, works to promote good relations between the hospital and the community and works primarily to benefit our patients, their families, the hospital and staff. It also maintains liaison with other Auxiliaries across Nova Scotia through the Nova Scotia Association of Health Auxiliaries (NSAHA).

Information Desks

The Dartmouth General Hospital Auxiliary volunteers staff two Information Desks in the Dartmouth General Hospital. One is located in the front lobby of the Hospital entrance at 325 Pleasant Street; the second in the lobby of the Dartmouth General Hospital's Emergency Department. The Information Desk volunteers provide information on Hospital services provided and direct the patient or family members to patient rooms and the appropriate Emergency areas within the Hospital.

Night Lunches

Auxiliary volunteers coordinate the delivery of night lunches to the Hospital patients after normal meal hours.

Menu Delivery Program

Auxiliary volunteers provide a menu delivery program throughout the Hospital. Volunteers deliver the menus daily, and also assist the patients to complete their menus for subsequent days.

The Corner Gift Shop

The Dartmouth General Hospital Auxiliary operates the Corner Gift Shop located at the first floor lobby entrance of the Hospital at the 325 Pleasant Street. The Corner Gift Shop offers a large selection of items, including flowers, giftware, plush toys, newspapers, books, magazines, beverages, postage stamps, candy and toiletries. Volunteer Gift Shop positions include: the chairperson, a scheduler, a bookkeeper, a giftware buyer and two assistant buyers and a candy buyer.

The Gift Shop Cart

For those patients and family members who are unable to visit the Gift Shop, Auxiliary volunteers operate a Gift Shop Cart, which makes regular visits to the patient rooms and rest areas within the Hospital. The cart carries a wide variety of personal hygiene items, newspapers, magazines and many confectionery items.

Library

Auxiliary volunteers staff the DGH medical library on the first floor of the Hospital. The volunteers provide a reading library and a source for computerized health care research assistance for the hospital doctors and staff.

Transitional Care Support

Auxiliary volunteers provide support to the Transitional Care Unit to work with the staff in several areas to assist the patients in coping with daily life as they recover from illness. They assist the patient to attempt to return to a somewhat normal life pattern while awaiting a position in a long-term care facility.

Pharmacy

Auxiliary volunteers assist the pharmacy staff in their drug-recycling program.

Junior Volunteers

The Auxiliary coordinates the advertisement, recruitment, interviewing and selection schedule for new Junior Volunteers. New Junior Volunteers are placed in the most appropriate areas in the Hospital.

Memorial Bursary

Each year, the Auxiliary accepts nominations from several local high schools for nominations for a Memorial Bursary of $1,500.00 to be awarded each year to a deserving student entering a university science program leading to the medical profession.

Palliative Care

Included in the Auxiliary's membership are approximately 20 Auxiliary members who provide dedicated Palliative Care and comfort services to DGH palliative care patients and their families. This service is coordinated through the DGH Social Worker, the DGH Palliative Care Consult Team and the DGH Palliative care Nurse.