Throughout the past year, Cardiff & Vale Health Charity has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness that has been shown to patients and staff throughout Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Members of the public fundraised and made donations to the #SpreadTheLove Covid-19 campaign. Generous contributions to the Health Charity’s Covid-19 funds have been made from NHS Charities Together and Captain Sir Tom Moore, Gareth and Emma Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Sir Stanley Thomas.
For every penny donated, Cardiff & Vale Health Charity is truly grateful for the difference these funds have made for the benefit of patients and staff.
Here are just a few examples of how Covid-19 funds have been used to make things better for patients and staff.
Cynnwys Therapy Service Room Refurbishment & Mindfulness Kits
The Cynnwys Therapy Service based at Whitchurch Hospital were given funding to refurbish and enhance their two therapy spaces. The service provides intensive talking therapy with highly distressed and often traumatised individuals.
Providing their clients with an updated, welcoming and comfortable environment to use during sessions will help improve both patient and staff engagement and wellbeing. Mindfulness kits were also provided for the service to use, enhancing both creativity and mental wellbeing of staff and patients.
Elderfit Fitness and Gentle Movement DVDs
Elderfit Fitness and Gentle Movement DVDs were funded to aid in reducing sedentary behaviour and maintain optimum strength and balance in patients over the age of 50.
These DVDs were supplied to patients so they could exercise safely in their own homes, which helped to improve their movement, flexibility and wellbeing during the pandemic and they will hopefully be used well into the future.
Hafan Y Coed; Mental Health Inpatient Unit
Therapeutic items along with renovation works including the installation of ward based gyms and a video conferencing room within Hafan Y Coed at University Hospital Llandough were provided to aid with improved patient care and more efficient and safe workplace practices. Installing these ward based gyms helped to enhance rehabilitation and long term management for adult patients with neurological conditions as well as improving staff engagement.
Drive Through Area for Lung Function and Sleep Apnoea Department
A drive-through area was funded for the Sleep Service so they could continue to see their patients during the pandemic. The drive-through area meant that patients could continue to collect their sleep study equipment rather than attend indoor clinics, which, at that time, were cancelled. Funds provided items such as signage, trolleys, chairs and waterproof coats for staff, which enhanced both the service and staff morale.
iPads and Electronic Communication Tablets
Electronic communication tablets have been provided to various departments around the Health Board to improve and enhance communication between patients and their friends and families during a time when visiting was restricted. The electronic communication tablets are a great source of comfort to patients, allowing them to speak, see and keep in touch with their loved ones at such a difficult time.
Staff Area Renovations and Resources
Generous donations from NHS Charities Together and money raised by Captain Sir Tom Moore have enabled many staff areas around the Health Board to be renovated and updated with new and improved furniture and electrical items such as tables, chairs, fridges and kettles.
Renovations for staff rooms have taken place at the Dental Sterilisation and Disinfection Unit, the Phoenix Community Rehabilitation and Recovery Service, the Community Nutrition and Dietetic Service, the Occupational Therapy Departments at UHW and St David’s Hospital and St Mary’s Pharmaceutical Unit and the Clinical Engineering Department
A comfortable, relaxing space where staff can relax and take their break is important for their health and wellbeing. So far, the renovated rooms have had a positive impact and in turn will help improve patient care.
The Health Charity is extremely grateful to Captain Sir Tom Moore and NHS Charities Together for providing these donations.
Critical Care Staff Haven
Stagecoach South Wales, kindly made a generous donation which has enabled the creation of a Staff Haven within our Critical Care Unit at UHW.
An area within the Critical Care department was identified and the donation was used to renovate the area and provide new furniture and electrical items to enable the staff to rest and recuperate.
Thank you Stagecoach South Wales, this Staff Haven will really help improve the health and wellbeing of Critical Care staff.
Staff Wellbeing
It has never been more important to look after the Health Board staffs mental health and wellbeing. To assist in caring for staff during the pandemic, items were provided to improve and maintain their physical and mental wellbeing. These included an Interactive Wellbeing Resources Guide and Posters, Active Minds starter packs, patient workbooks, mindfulness kits, a 12 page, ‘Living and working well in isolation’ leaflet, a ‘Writing in Lockdown’ project and many staff treat boxes delivered to their departments. Drinks and ice lollies were also provided to our frontline staff working in full PPE during the extreme heat at the height of the pandemic.
The Teddy Bear Nursery Garden Project
The Teddy Bear Nursery has provided emergency childcare for the children of Health Board staff during these unprecedented times. The University Hospital Llandough nursery was provided with funding to install a roof to their outside decking area, enabling all weather access and ventilation. This has allowed the area to be utilised to ensure that social distancing guidelines are maintained, also providing the children with another recreational area to learn, play and grow.
Cardiff Health Access Practice
Cardiff Health Access Practice (CHAPS) received funding from NHS Charities Together to help the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community receive support from the Cardiff & Vale Asylum Seeker Service and third sector staff, such as Wellbeing 4U, who work in the service. The support will greatly benefit both the staff and patients within the service resulting in better patient care and improved physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Maternity Equipment for Asylum Seekers
Specialist asylum seeker midwives received funding from NHS Charities Together and were able to purchase equipment such as breast pumps, pregnancy pillows and pregnancy supportive pants to be given out to women under the asylum process as they are unable to provide these for themselves. The equipment is greatly beneficial to these women as they provide much needed comfort and support, which aids in improving their own mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy.