Families and friends are being reminded of the new ‘Parcels to Patients’ service that has been set up to help Walsall Manor Hospital patients receive personal belongings during their stay.

The service – which has been set up by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Patient Experience Team – means that families and friends of patients can now book a slot to deliver a parcel of personal belongings, which will then be taken to the patient staying in hospital.

Garry Perry, Head of Patient Relations, said: “We launched this service earlier this month appreciating how difficult it is for people to get items to their loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic which has seen hospital visiting restricted across the country.

“It is just one way we can try and make being in hospital a little bit easier at this really difficult time. Anyone who has spent time in hospital knows how much better it is to have their own things with them – their own nightwear, clothing and toiletries. It helps lift your mood and helps you focus on recovering to be able to return home.

“Our brilliant volunteers have been running the Parcels to Patients service for us and after today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) it will start back up again on Monday 4 January.”

Relatives or friends of patients need to call the General Office on 07768 838919 to make an appointment to drop off the patient’s belongings. Each parcel should be wrapped in wipeable material, such as plastic, and sealed with a label detailing the patient’s name, ward and date of birth. Relatives will be required to complete a document and provide details about the contents of the parcel and sign to say they have left it in the care of trust staff/volunteers.

Once the parcel has been received and documented, it is cleaned before it is taken by a volunteer to the appropriate ward. The parcel is signed for by a staff member from that ward.

The service operates from Monday to Friday from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3.30pm, and appointments are given on a half hourly basis.

The Parcels to Patients service will accept items such as:

• Nightwear
• Clothing
• Mobile phones
• Toiletries
• Sweets / biscuits / dry foods
• Drinks in unopened containers
• Small amounts of cash – no more than £5

It will not accept items such as:

• Drinks in opened containers
• Alcohol
• Cigarettes / tobacco / lighters
• Drugs or medications (unless agreed with the ward which the volunteer will need to check)

If you would like any more information about the Parcels to Patients service, please contact Chloe Danks on 01922 656569.