5 August 2020

Almost £223,000 has been raised by SaTH Charity in the last three months—almost double the amount raised over the same period last year.

In a report to last week’s Trust Board Louise Barnett, Chief Executive, said the figure represents the huge support the Trust has received from local people, local businesses and national support from NHS Charities Together.

Items recently purchased by NHS Charities Together funds include:

  • 16 seating units to support staff taking a quality break outside in the fresh air.
  • 26 two-way radios to improve staff communication when working in PPE areas.
  • Dementia sensory trolleys supporting patients who are struggling with COVID-19 related stress.
  • More than 40 portable hearing loops for use across the Trust to reduce the impact for the hard of hearing of sneeze screens and staff wearing face coverings.

Other funds were used for:

  • Cancer examination trolleys to the value of £33,264 to provide improved patient comfort and support staff to provide treatment in an improved setting.
  • Test equipment for Audiology and supporting IT equipment purchased at a cost of £25,548. This supports an Audiologist to understand dizziness and balance issues a patient might be experiencing.

Further planned expenditure from NHS Charities Together includes a nurse-led physiological support programme and a COVID-19 Hamar Centre-based counselling service to support patients and staff.

The Trust has also put forward a £50,000 bid focusing on the impact of COVID on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff and patients.