Friends of the Emergency Department (FEDs) are recruiting volunteers to provide non-clinical support and information to patients awaiting or undergoing treatment at Whakatāne Hospital’s emergency department.

FEDS Whakatāne leader Glennys Rogers said this was an ideal volunteer job for retired people with some free time.

Feds are required to do at least one four-hour shift a week or fortnight. Shifts are 9 am to 1pm, 1pm to 5pm and 5pm to 9pm, seven days a week.

“Half our team do the same shift every week or fortnight.”

If a volunteer is sick or going on holiday, the roster can be adjusted.

Mrs Rogers said volunteering at Whakatāne Hospital was a very supportive environment.

“The hospital staff are very good to us, they really protect the FED volunteers,” she said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Mrs Rogers at [email protected] for more information or visit the St John’s website.

After making an online application, prospective volunteers will undergo police vetting and a hospital health check.

It is mandatory to have had any required vaccinations.

“This is all about protecting the volunteer as well as the patients,” she said.

Once the application has been approved, the volunteer will undergo a brief training and do a buddy shift before being rostered onto a shift.