The impact of donations
During the pandemic, generous donations to our Covid-19 appeal allowed us to give £4.5 million to support the wellbeing of NHS staff across the five Barts Health hospitals.
Rapid funding during the peak meant that staff were able to give the best care they could. Items purchased with this funding included iPads for patients to speak with their relatives and 3D-printed PPE. In addition, our long-term funding means each hospital now has a staff wellbeing hub and improved staff facilities, such as rest areas and secure cycle storage.
The wellbeing hubs have been beautifully designed in consultation with colleagues and offer a tranquil haven from the hospital and clinical work environment. Recognised by the UK Property Awards as the ‘Best Public Service Interior’, they are spacious, decorated with muted tones, and have comfortable, modern furniture. Some hubs even include pool tables. Spaces like this, where staff can relax, connect and destress, are extremely rare within the NHS.
A Barts Health-wide Psychological Support Service was also established, with a dedicated psychologist at each site. More than 8,000 staff members have had contact with the service, which provides one-to-one sessions and support for teams. In 2022 we renewed our funding of the service, meaning we will fund it for another 3 years.
"The impact of Covid has placed unparalleled pressures on NHS staff. Our colleagues have done an amazing job saving lives and aiding patients’ recovery but they have seen a lot of things and they are feeling exhausted."Rachel Simkiss, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Getting the basics right
Although the emergency appeal has now ended, our work has not – as the Trust’s dedicated charity we need your help to continue to fund initiatives that support staff and save lives.
Geraldine Cunningham, the former Associate Director of Culture Change and Trust Lead for Wellbeing, says: “We’re very proud of what we have achieved and have really focused our attention on getting the basics right so that we can create the conditions for our people to be at their best when they come to work. We couldn’t have achieved so much without the support of Barts Charity, they’ve been amazing.”
