Warwickshire hospital charity is raising money for care boxes for 'superhero' front-line NHS staff

University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire Charity is raising money to create care packages to for NHS workers on the front-line, fighting the disease.

The money raised from the ‘Support our NHS Superheroes’ campaign will also fund extra facilities to help University Hospital deal with the increased demand on services, as patient numbers rise.

The Superhero Care Boxes will include snacks and drinks for staff working long shifts to boost energy and morale, whilst the campaign will also fund extra items and facilities for the hospital’s busiest wards including the Respiratory, Medical Decisions, Critical Care, Care for the Elderly wards as well as the Accident & Emergency department and the Children’s A&E department.

The charity will provide extra facilities for hospital staff treating Covid-19 patients, such as additional lockers for junior doctors to cover the increase in staff, so that they can bring a change of clothes and toiletries for long shifts, and a break-out area for staff with comfy chairs so that they can take a few minutes rest away from the front-line.

Jo O’Sullivan, Head of Charity at UHCW Charity, said: “The idea for the campaign was first raised after Amie Burbridge, Acute Medicine consultant at University Hospital Coventry and a mum of two, was understandably worried about the increased strain the virus will have on her front-line colleagues.

“Staff are working long shifts, some for 12 days in a row, so this is the time when they will need our support more than ever, and the extra facilities will help to make their lives easier.

“With your support we are working to provide an area where staff can relax, so that they can come and take some time out to be kind to themselves.

“The Superhero Care Boxes will provide staff with snacks to boost energy levels and drinks to hydrate during long shifts. Having somewhere away from the emergency department and wards where they can rest just for 10 minutes will make such a difference and the additional lockers will really help the junior doctors looking after patients.

“We are trying to raise as much money as possible so that we can provide ongoing support to our staff who are working hard on the front-line throughout this pandemic, so any donations are appreciated.”

The charity, which last year provided over £750,000 for world-leading equipment and facilities for patients and families, is the registered charity for University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire Trust and the Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust.

Amie added: “We are facing a global crisis and our almost 9000 UHCW NHS Trust staff are key to helping fight this disease, but we are only human, we get tired the same as everyone, so being able to relax in a comfy chair and recharge our batteries during this stressful time is important.

“Knowing that others care enough to provide us with these Superhero Care Boxes will boost morale and help us through long shifts - your support for staff and patients will make treating this pandemic far easier.”

more information and to donate to the campaign click here.