// John Lewis Partnership spent this week delivering care packages to Mental Health Trusts
// The care packages ensure healthcare staff have the supplies they need during a long shift
John Lewis Partnership has spent Mental Health Awareness Week delivering care packages that aim to assist the wellbeing of key NHS workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Mental Health Trusts in the UK are currently facing extreme pressures in caring for patients, many of whom are Covid-positive or have been struggling to cope with self-isolation in recent weeks.
John Lewis Partnership said its care packages will ensure healthcare staff, often providing round-the-clock care, have the supplies they need during a long shift.
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In total, the the partnership will have delivered 1400 boxes containing over 100,000 essentials to 500 Hospital Trust locations during the pandemic.
This includes care packages already delivered to UK-wide critical care and intensive care units who will receive a second delivery later this month.
Based on advice from the British Medical Association (BMA), the care packages include a combination of much-needed items like toiletries, and snack food.
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.
“Many mental health trusts are currently caring for those who are struggling with the UK lockdown or isolation, with staff going above and beyond to make sure everyone still gets the care and support they need,” BMA council chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul said.
“However, it’s just as important that staff also feel emotionally supported during this challenging time, and know how valued every single one of them is.
“A deed such as this can make all the difference, and we are truly grateful to John Lewis and Waitrose for supplying healthcare professionals with essential items they might otherwise have difficulty getting hold of. We hope these care packages help ease, even a little, the stress, and bring some comfort to those doing so much for patients on the NHS frontline.”
John Lewis Partnership chair Sharon White said: “The John Lewis Partnership is extremely grateful for the courage and humanity of everyone in the NHS working tirelessly to fight this virus – from intensive care to mental health.
“We are exceptionally lucky to have an amazing health service open to all and this is a small token to show our thanks.”
The John Lewis Partnership has supported the NHS in a number of ways during the crisis, including giving NHS staff priority in Waitrose shops to ensure they are able to get through as quickly and easily as possible.
John Lewis and Waitrose have also donated thousands of essential food items, hot meals and items such as pillows and phone chargers to local hospitals.
Meanwhile John Lewis supported a number of NHS Nightingale Hospitals and acute hospitals with wellbeing and multi-faith areas or with electrical products for staff areas.
More recently, John Lewis reopened its textiles factory Herbert Parkinson in Lancashire to make protective gowns for the NHS.
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