About Friends of Stratford Hospital

Friends of Stratford Hospital (FoSH) is a local charity first established in 1948 with the primary aim of raising funds to provide equipment and other comforts that are not readily available from the NHS, and support the health and wellbeing of patients, their loved ones and the hospital staff.

 FoSH support the community of Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding villages by funding improvements that benefit patients requiring a wide range of hospital services, including cancer care, physiotherapy and ophthalmology. FoSH work closely with hospital staff and in close partnership with South Warwickshire Foundation Trust (SWFT) to ensure fundraising priorities and charitable investment are strategically aligned, enabling funds to be directed where they will have the greatest impact on patient care and staff wellbeing.

The charity consists of a board of trustees, led by Chair, Ursula Russell and Vice Chair, Ana Palenciano, and an active committee, and numerous 'supporters.'  The charity relies  on and values voluntary assistance, donations, and other support to maximise its potential.

Our Patron is Emma Holman-West, a highly regarded and prominent figure in the local business community.

Friends of Stratford Hospital is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity number: 215843 

A Brief History

The first Stratford Hospital opened in 1884 in an attractive Victorian building on Alcester Road. As demand for healthcare grew, the hospital expanded into the former Workhouse buildings on Arden Street. Following the introduction of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948, these facilities were gradually replaced with modern hospital buildings.

Also in 1948, the League of Friends was established to support the hospital by raising funds for equipment, facilities and other enhancements that were not routinely funded by the NHS, improving the comfort and wellbeing of patients, their families and hospital staff.

In 1996, the hospital's original South Wing was sold to a hotel group, which carefully retained many of its distinctive Victorian features, including the iconic clock tower and much of the original façade. At the same time, acute services were transferred to Warwick Hospital, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the hospital's history.

Changing With The Times

A new, modern hospital building opened in 2017, enabling a number of services to return to Stratford-upon-Avon and making treatment more accessible for patients who were previously required to travel to Warwick. The new facility includes a state-of-the-art cancer treatment unit, an ophthalmology unit and a community wellbeing centre.

The League of Friends embraced this exciting development with renewed energy, launching a campaign to support the staff and patients of the new hospital. This work was made possible in part by a generous legacy from local farmer Percy Lomas and his sister, Roma. As the bequest included property and land, as well as financial assets shared with Shipston Hospital, it took almost ten years to complete the legal processes required to realise its full value. The opening of Café Lomas and the Lomas Suite marked the successful culmination of that remarkable gift.

More recently, an extension to the hospital was completed, and in 2025 a state-of-the-art Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) opened. Part of a national programme to transform diagnostic services, the CDC provides a wide range of elective diagnostic tests closer to home, reducing the need for patients to travel to larger acute hospitals.

The centre has significantly enhanced local radiology services by bringing MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray and mammography together under one roof. By increasing diagnostic capacity, the CDC is helping to reduce pressure on acute hospitals, shorten waiting times and provide patients with quicker access to essential tests in a calmer, more convenient environment. Equipped with the latest technology and thoughtfully designed to create a welcoming and reassuring atmosphere, the centre reflects a modern approach to patient care.

FoSH Changed Too

Whilst we remember fondly and respect the hard work and dedication of the previous members, in 2024 The

League of Friends board decided to change its name. These days, although retaining the same principals and

values, we are now simply known as Friends of Stratford Hospital or FoSH.

FoSH and its supporters are busier than ever as we strive to meet demand, and contribute meaningfully to the welfare of patients, their loved ones and the staff in an increasingly busy and ever-evolving Stratford Hospital.