North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has thanked Captain Sir Tom Moore for providing the funds for two new staff ‘recharge’ hubs.
The Trust gratefully received £100,000 from the Stage one and second wave NHS Charities Grants. Part of the money was raised during the 100-year-old retired soldier’s epic 2020 fundraising ‘garden walk’ for NHS charities which so inspired the nation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds have been used to convert rooms at both the University Hospital of North Tees and University Hospital of Hartlepool into staff ‘recharge hubs’. Colleagues can take a well-earned rest during their busy shifts. The hubs are comfortable, quiet places where staff can relax, enjoy lunch and simply take some time out.
The Trust still has some of the NHS Charities Together Stage one and second wave NHS Charities Grants remaining. This has been allocated to support NHS staff, volunteers and patients and will be used to develop smaller ‘break out’ areas for staff.
Our letter to Captain Tom
Julie Gillon, Trust chief executive, has written a letter of thanks to Captain Tom.
“Because of your efforts during this, the most challenging year most of us within the NHS have ever experienced, our staff are benefitting from a dedicated re-charge hub. This is a space where our colleagues can step away from the pressures of their day-to-day roles, and simply re-charge.
“Thank you for being so driven, determined and for showing us all what dedication in such a worrying time looks like on behalf of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.”
Both the hubs, known as the Rainbow Room, were formally unveiled today (Thursday 17 November).
Julie Gillon and trust chair of governors Paul Garvin declared the University Hospital of North Tees hub open. And non-executive director and wellbeing guardian Neil Schneider and non-executive director Steve Hall cut the ribbon at the University Hospital of Hartlepool hub.
Thank you
Neil Schneider commented: “Healthcare is demanding work and the wellbeing of staff is an absolute priority. They can’t care for patients if they’re exhausted.
“It’s really important that staff have a space where they can relax and take some time out. Those breaks are invaluable and absolutely contribute towards providing excellent care.
“We can’t thank the Captain Tom Foundation enough the funding which will benefit our staff for years to come.”
Neil was recently announced as the Trust’s wellbeing guardian to ensure the Trust provides the very best care and support to all our staff and volunteers.
He added: “’This is my first formal occasion as the Trust wellbeing guardian. And I’m thrilled it’s been here at the University Hospital of Hartlepool. I’ve really enjoyed meeting the staff and seeing this unique hospital in action.”
NTH Solutions supported the Trust to design and project manage the development of the rooms. The required work was carried out by:
- Castle Construction North East Ltd.
- Visual Security Systems
- Geoffrey Robinsons Ltd.
- Martyn Edwards Ltd
- AWG Civil Engineering Ltd.
About NHS charitable funds
The COVID-19 Appeal was launched by NHS Charities Together in March. It aims to acknowledge and support NHS staff, volunteers and patients impacted by the pandemic across the country.
The money raised is funding grants to help NHS charities support NHS staff, volunteers and patients in ways above and beyond what NHS funding can ordinarily provide. This includes meeting immediate and urgent needs to supporting the long term recovery from the impact of the crisis.
Stage 1 Grant funding supports the wellbeing of NHS staff, volunteers and patients impacted by Covid-19 during the current pandemic.
As a result, the Trust is focussing on ways NHS charities grants can help staff to improve their mental health and wellbeing, with the creation of recharge hubs where staff can get away from the stresses of the job and properly switch off.
