A Parcels to Patients service set up to help those staying at Walsall Manor Hospital delivered a celebration all of its own today – its 1,000th package since the service started just over two months ago.
The service was set up by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Patient Experience Team towards the end of last year and has been really well used by families and friends of patients who want to take in their personal belongings to make their stay more comfortable.
Relatives or friends are able to book a slot to deliver a parcel of personal belongings, which will then be taken to the patient staying in hospital. It has been a real benefit during the Covid-19 pandemic as visiting restrictions remain in place in Walsall as in hospitals across the country, and the service expanded this year to cover weekends too. Today saw its 1,000th parcel dropped off, a real cause for celebration for Walsall Healthcare volunteers who have been running the service.
Garry Perry, Head of Patient Relations, said: “We have had fantastic feedback from those who have used Parcels for Patients and are really proud that we have managed to take 1,000 deliveries out across the hospital.
“It’s so important that patients are able to have their own nightwear, clothing and toiletries and it can make a positive difference to their recovery. We also thought it was important to expand the service to cover weekends as we know some people are juggling multiple responsibilities so wanted to be as flexible as possible.”
One patient who has benefitted from Parcels to Patients is John Jones. His wife Carol has video called him, supported by volunteers, and used Parcels to Patients numerous times.
She said: The Service was brilliant, I was always satisfied with the quick work of staff to contact or deliver John’s items. You have allowed us to stay connected with John and because of this, you will always be in our hearts. We still think about you to this day.’
Relatives or friends of patients need to call the Patient Experience Team 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.