In partnership with the British Medical Association (BMA), the John Lewis Partnership is providing frontline NHS workers with care packages as they continue caring for patients in UK hospitals. The care boxes are starting to be delivered as Coronavirus hospital admissions continue to remain high according to official figures.
Nearly 500 boxes have been sent to acute hospital trusts in the UK. These are being safely distributed to high-intensity clinical areas such as Critical Care and Intensive Care units. This will ensure healthcare staff working long hours receive the essentials they need.
Based on advice from the BMA, these supplies will be a combination of non-clinical essentials, including; toiletries, socks, shaving foam, hand cream and lip balm. Plus, snack food, tea and coffee. The boxes also contain a wellbeing leaflet. This provides information about a 24/7 counselling service and guidance from the BMA on a range of issues.
The John Lewis Partnership will have delivered almost 2,000 boxes of essentials to over 500 Hospital Trust locations during the pandemic. This includes care packages for Mental Health Trusts.
Commenting is Dr. Chaand Nagpaul, British Medical Association Chair of Council. “When so many healthcare staff have put in hour after hour over such a prolonged period and are continuing to do so, looking after so many very sick patients, a deed such as this, to show how much they are appreciated, will certainly bring a little light relief.
“We’re delighted to work with the John Lewis Partnership to provide these care boxes to so many frontline staff over the coming days. Whilst we know that many staff are facing huge challenges, we hope these boxes will bring a few smiles and some comfort to as many staff as possible during these incredibly difficult times.”
Marija Rompani, Partner and director of sustainability and ethics at the John Lewis Partnership, adds; “We are extremely grateful for the courage and humanity of everyone in the NHS working tirelessly to fight this virus; from intensive care to mental health. We are exceptionally lucky to have an amazing health service open to all. This is a small token to show our thanks again for their relentless hard work.”
The John Lewis Partnership has supported the NHS in many ways during the crisis.
This includes giving NHS staff priority in Waitrose. John Lewis and Waitrose also gifted thousands of food and essential items to local hospitals as well as supporting several NHS Nightingale Hospitals and acute hospitals with wellbeing and multi-faith areas or with electrical products for staff areas.
Equally, John Lewis reopened its textiles factory, Herbert Parkinson, in Lancashire to make protective gowns for the NHS. Now, John Lewis and Waitrose will continue to support the vulnerable during the pandemic and beyond.
The 2020 ‘Give A Little Love’ campaign raised over £3m for charities Home-Start and FareShare. The aim is to support 100,000 families in need. Recently, the Partnership pledged to extend its support; pooling the expertise of Partners, resources, networks and time to meet the specific needs of the most vulnerable in society. It is also backing this support with a further donation of £2m.
