Donations made to our campaign to help staff during the COVID-19 response are making a difference in our hospitals.
Since it was launched at the end of March, the kindness of the community has meant that our local campaign has raised more than £200,000. Donations of food, drink and toiletries such as handcreams have also been distributed to staff in our hospitals.
Making a difference
The pandemic has put new pressures on staff and necessitated new ways of working. Your donations are allowing us to help make things better for our staff. Here are some examples
- New blood pressure monitors for the cardiac team will help avoid the need for home visits to some patients. The monitors will be lent to patients allowing staff to do a phone consultation, keeping staff and patients safer.
- Sussex Eye Hospital staff have been able to buy the equipment needed to carry out additional safety tests around the infection risk posed by Covid-19 to staff during cataract surgery.
- Covers for electronic tablets that staff can share with patients to help them communicate with loved ones during lockdown.
- Funds have been spent on setting up calm rooms for staff so they can take a break and relax in a dedicated space.
Helping staff take a break
We have been responding to urgent needs from our frontline and support teams for items such as microwaves and kettles. We have also been working closely with the Trust Health and Wellbeing team to provide additional support where it is needed.
An impact now and in the future
Charity Director Sarah Tasker says staff are truly thankful for the public’s response,
“The huge show of support for the NHS and the community’s generosity at this difficult time has been a genuine pick me up for staff.
“We have been able to respond to initial requests for help and are now considering the longer term needs of staff. For example providing additional psychological support and other assistance focused on well-being that might help going forwards.”
Details of the campaign can be found here: www.helpbsuhhospitals.org.uk
