The coronavirus pandemic is causing financial disruption and money worries for many, not least for NHS staff who may find their household incomes are reduced in the current situation.
Conscious of the impact on NHS staff, Leeds Cares, which supports Leeds Teaching Hospitals, has invested £25,000 in a staff hardship fund. This is thanks to a grant awarded to the NHS charity from donations raised through the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal.
Leeds Cares also plans to establish a hardship fund for patients and volunteers facing difficulties caused by the current crisis, and is paying for nurse and midwife training through the Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Programme so they can access virtual leadership group support.
Esther Wakeman, Chief Executive of Leeds Cares, said: “Our recent grant from NHS Charities Together will be used to fund a £25,000 investment into a Staff Hardship Fund for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, ensuring we can give financial support to staff members facing financial hardship because of the pandemic. We’ll also be establishing a hardship fund for patients and volunteers who are facing difficulties caused by the current crisis. I’m also delighted to say that we’ll be providing £5,000 for the Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Programme enabling nurses and midwives to access virtual leadership group support during the pandemic.”
Esther says a big thank you for donations in the video below. The charity will also continue to fund the bedside TV and phone service for patients on all adult wards throughout May and June after feedback from both staff and patients revealed it had been a ‘lifeline’ when no visitors were allowed.
Urgent Appeal Grants
Grants given to NHS charities are used to meet the immediate and urgent needs of patients, staff and volunteers. Funding is also going towards helping partnerships outside hospitals, such as hospices, community healthcare and social care, making sure patients leaving hospital have access to the care they need to recover. In the longer term it will also fund programmes to help staff and volunteers recover fully once the crisis has abated, reducing the long-term impact on them and the people they care about.
About the Urgent Appeal
The NHS Charities Together Urgent Appeal acknowledges and supports NHS staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients. It has been put together in liaison with NHS England and national bodies, our member NHS charities and national giving platforms. Click here to donate.
