The public are being encouraged to show their support for NHS heroes working under significant pressure at Southmead Hospital dealing with Covid-19.
As part of “Thank You Week” at North Bristol NHS Trust, people are asked to send in their praise for teams’ extraordinary efforts in the pandemic, either via social media (Twitter: @NorthBristolNHS / Facebook: @SouthmeadHosp), post, or this electronic form.
Staff across the hospital – from porters to professors - are also thanking each other via personalised e-cards in different languages, reflecting the huge diversity we have.
A wide range of “wellbeing” services are also being promoted to support colleagues including physiotherapy, psychological therapy, lifestyle support such as legal information, bereavement support and financial planning, as well as wellbeing walks, live music online and free cakes and hot drinks.
Jacqui Marshall, Executive Director for People and Transformation, said:
“The pandemic has been with us for almost a year now and our staff at all levels are showing extraordinary levels of resilience in the face of relentless challenges to keep caring for our patients.
“But this is taking its toll in many ways on people’s mental and physical wellbeing, which is why we’ve invested so heavily in support services.
“Sometimes just getting a simple ‘thanks’ or ‘well done’ can make all the difference, so we really would welcome all the gratitude possible for NHS staff and of course our other key workers.”
Sarah Harrison – Director of Southmead Hospital Charity, said:
“We have seen such a wonderful outpouring of love for our NHS since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
“Thanks to many generous donations from the public we have been able to provide our staff with specialised counselling support, lots of goodies to boost morale, as well as calm rooms to provide a quiet haven for breaks. Donations have also enabled Long-Covid research to progress helping our clinicians develop treatments for survivors of Covid-19.
“Still now, in what is the busiest period in NHS history, we are very grateful for your continued support.”
Please share your message to NHS staff via:
Twitter: @NorthBristolNHS
Facebook: @SouthmeadHosp
The North Bristol NHS Trust website: www.nbt.nhs.uk
Post: FAO Communications team, Trust Headquarters, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB