ALMOST £600,000 has been raised to support NHS staff and patients in Southampton as part of a Daily Echo backed campaign - but more help is now needed.

The Southampton Hospitals Charity’s “Emergency Covid-19 Appeal for our NHS Heroes” has raised a total of £592,545 since its launch on March 20, it has been revealed.

The money has funded a series of initiatives such as a support hub for vulnerable patients and more than 100 refreshment stations for staff in city hospitals.

But charity bosses are “urgently appealing for more funds” as hospitals are “once again under an unprecedented amount of pressure”.

It comes as charity leaders said it is anticipated that' staff will need mental health support long after the pandemic is over.

Beth Hall, joint interim director at Southampton Hospitals Charity, said: “Our supporters never cease to amaze us with their generosity, and we can’t thank them enough. We are so proud to have a community who stands shoulder to shoulder with us. Our community have helped us raise over £500,000 which has given our staff and patients access to support to help them get through the pandemic.”

But she added: “We are urgently appealing for more funds now. Our hospitals are once again under an unprecedented amount of pressure as new Covid patients are admitted daily and numbers have exceeded the first wave.We’re committed to supporting our staff and patients now and after the pandemic, through your donations, which have never been more needed.

“With your help, we can get Southampton through the third wave.”

Of the £592,545 raised since March, £221,000 came from NHS Charities Together - which was supported by Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Among the items and initiatives funded with the money raised so far there are 45 iPads and more than 100 cordless phones and radios used by patients to stay in touch with their loved ones and by clinicians to offer virtual consultations to patients.

The vital cash also helped fund three wellness rooms and 6,690 free hot meals for staff.

A new Patient Support Hub has also been launched to support vulnerable patients.

It provides a single point of access for those who may need to isolate or shield and services include accessing community support to collect shopping or pick up prescriptions.

Patients have also been given free access to the hospital bedside entertainment system and a specialist psychological support for staff was made available through Staffline phone service.

Boost boxes consisting of various snacks, toiletries and gifts like hand creams and lip balm were also delivered to staff in all wards.

Staff have also recently received badges of honour as a token of appreciation for their work throughout the pandemic.

A letter of thanks including a pin badge, wellbeing day and refreshment token were sent directly to employees’ homes.

To donate visit www.southamptonhospitalscharity.org/NHSheroes

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e:maria.zaccaro@dailyecho.co.uk