We’re so grateful for the generosity of our supporters, who have so far raised a staggering £1.7 million for our Coronavirus appeal, supporting staff and patients at Southmead Hospital as we fight this virus.
Of the total, we are investing £1.25m into caring for critically ill patients here at Southmead, which operates one of the largest Intensive Care Units (ICU) in the country.
The major investment will also see a new clinical information system introduced that will revolutionise the ways patients are monitored and treated.
It will fund state of the art respiratory equipment including a specialist ventilator, portable ultrasound machines and other innovative technologies that will help the dedicated staff of North Bristol NHS Trust continue their life-saving work.
The Coronavirus Appeal is also funding access to specialist counselling and wellbeing support for staff during this uncertain time.
The donations from our supporters will also contribute to our bereavement fund, which provides much-needed support to families of North Bristol NHS Trust staff who have sadly lost their lives to Coronavirus.
Donations have provided welfare packages for staff across the hospital, as well as upgrading staff rest areas to enable people to take breaks in a safe and restful environment.
The pandemic has had an impact all across the hospital, and funds from this total will be provided to the Maternity Unit to provide free scan photos to mums who cannot be accompanied at antenatal scans by their partner. Similarly, we have been able to purchase tablet devices for patients staying in hospital to help them keep connected with their loved ones.
We’re so grateful for the outpouring of support that we have had during the pandemic. The money raised by the appeal has come from over 4,000 individual donations, along with one significant seven figure gift. We’ve also had an incredible response from local and National businesses, who have provided a huge amount of goods or services in kind.
“In recent months, COVID-19 has presented an unprecedented challenge to Intensive Care Units around the world.
“Here at Southmead Hospital’s ICU we have received inspirational support from the communities that we serve.
“The Southmead Hospital Charity’s Coronavirus Appeal donations will allow us to meet the ongoing challenge of COVID-19 with state of the art care for our critically ill patients and leave a legacy of innovation and high quality care for years to come.”
Dr Julian Thompson, Consultant in Intensive Care
As we continue to fight the virus, we are now appealing to our supporters to help us fund research projects to help us better understand and treat the virus.
We are looking to raise an additional £815,000 to support three Coronavirus research projects which researchers hope will lead to new breakthroughs in fighting the virus.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our communities in the past few months – and we are so grateful for the ongoing support which continues to be critical to our continued work in supporting the hospital into the future.
“We know that there is more to do to ensure the incredible staff at North Bristol NHS Trust and their patients are supported during this uncertain time.
“Our commitment to fund research into new understandings and treatments for Coronavirus (COVID-19) is our priority which is why we need to continue our call for donations to support these ground-breaking projects. We need your help to ensure our researchers can continue making progress in fighting the virus right here in Bristol – helping us to shape a new future for healthcare.”
Sarah Harrison, Director of Southmead Hospital Charity
You can find out how you can support our ongoing Coronavirus Appeal here.
