Volunteers deliver more than 100 letters to patients in Leeds hospitals - here is how you can send one

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust announced a new way to reach loved ones in Leeds hospitals during the coronavirus lockdown.

The trust said they recognised the difficulty for patients and families being apart during visiting hours being suspended.

So a new service has been set up to allow for families to send an email to the hospital trust - which will then be delivered by hand by a team of volunteers.

In a Facebook post, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We recognise that it is difficult for patients and their families whilst visiting is suspended and that not being able to talk to loved ones has been causing distress.

"To help with the current situation, we have set up an email address to allow families to send messages to their loved ones whilst they are in our care.

"Our Patient Experience team will then print the message, pop it in an envelope and deliver this to the ward with the help of our volunteers.

"Please include the patient's full name, date of birth and ward (if known) and any other special requirements (e.g. large print / letter to be read out).

"Letters to loved ones will be delivered on the same day for patients at St James’s and LGI, if they are sent before 2pm.

"For delivery elsewhere, such as to Chapel Allerton and Wharfedale Hospitals, please allow two working days.

"We are offering this service Monday-Friday at present, so any letters sent after 2pm on Friday will be delivered the following Monday."

The Patient Experience Team delivered the letters - sent in by email - by hand to a total of 133 patients over the weekend.

In a tweet, the team said: "We received 133 #letterstolovedones over the weekend and have managed to deliver them all, as well as those that arrived in the inbox before 2pm today!

"Pat on the back for us and a huge thank you to our volunteers for helping us!

"Team work makes the dream work."

Messages can be sent via email to [email protected]

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