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Nightingale London and the main London NHS trusts would be the first to receive the care packages
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JLP is also accommodating on-call NHS key workers on its Leckford Estate in Hampshire
John Lewis Partnership is teaming up with the British Medical Association to deliver care packages for frontline NHS workers at the busiest hospitals across the UK.
The supplies will be a combination of 60,000 non-clinical essentials, such as deodorant, shaving foam, hand cream, antibac hand gel and lip balm, as well as snack food, tea, coffee and socks.
The boxes also contain a wellbeing leaflet with information about a 24/7 counselling service and guidance from the BMA on a range of issues.
Nightingale London and the main London NHS trusts would be the first to receive the care packages.
Over the next few weeks, the boxes will be delivered to all acute hospital trusts in the UK to distribute to high-intensity clinical areas such as critical care and intensive care units. This would ensure healthcare staff working long hours and under strain received the products they needed, the Waitrose and John Lewis owner said.
JLP is also installing a wellbeing area for medical staff and volunteers at the Nightingale NHS Hospital, built to treat patients suffering with Covid-19 at the ExCel Centre.
The space would be the only area within the main part of the hospital specifically designed for all staff to take time out to relax from the challenging environment, JLP added.
Composer Alejandro Bonatto has created a playlist to help staff unwind in one of the three different “wellbeing zones”.
“We are so grateful to the John Lewis Partnership for their continued commitment to taking care of NHS staff,” said Matthew Trainer, deputy CEO of NHS Nightingale London.
“The care packages, designed in collaboration with the BMA, will be a welcome gesture of support for busy staff on the go, and the wellbeing space will allow our staff much-needed time out during their shifts.
“This is a fantastic example of people and companies coming together to help NHS staff as they respond to the greatest public health challenge in over a century – but every member of the public can play their part too, in particular by staying home to slow the spread of the virus and save lives.”
JLP chairman Sharon White added: “The John Lewis Partnership salutes the courage and humanity of every NHS worker fighting this awful virus. We are exceptionally lucky to have an amazing health service open to all.
“As a small token, we’re donating food and essential items to the NHS, making it easier for NHS workers to shop in Waitrose and we’re helping staff at the new Nightingale Hospital in London. We will do more over the coming weeks.”
JLP is also accommodating on-call NHS key workers on its Leckford Estate in Hampshire. The partnership hotels team is hosting medical staff who need to be near the hospital in lodges usually used as holiday homes for staff.
Twelve lodges are available to the Hampshire NHS Trust, which can accommodate 29 people. The NHS staff are primarily key workers at The Royal County Hampshire Hospital in Winchester.
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