Patient initiative launched across local hospitals and mental health wards to connect loved ones

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS), Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) are offering to pass on letters, postcards and messages to help patients to stay in touch with carers, family and friends throughout this difficult time and bring them comfort during their treatment.

LCHS, LPFT and ULHT have all introduced a new dedicated service as an alternative way for patients to receive messages from their loved ones. Family and friends can email their messages which are then converted into letters or postcards and delivered to patients on the wards on behalf of the sender. These initiatives accompany existing efforts being made to ensure that patients do not feel isolated. For example, on LPFT and ULHT wards, iPads are available and patients have access to video calls.

Jane Marshall, Director of Strategy, Planning and Partnerships at LPFT said:

“Teams on our wards do a fantastic job of caring for patients, arranging interactive activities and delivering messages from loved ones.

“We recognise the importance of enabling patients to feel connected to others until visiting can resume, and understand that not everyone has access to technology to communicate. Social interaction and maintaining relationships are key to the progress and recovery of our patients. Sending postcards can be a great way to keep in touch”.

ULHT have also introduced the ‘Dear Friend’ scheme, to brighten the day of patients who don’t receive any letters or messages.

Sharon Kidd, Patient Experience and Engagement Manager at ULHT said:

“We understand this is a challenging time for our patients and want to do all we can to ensure they don’t feel lonely or isolated. Receiving a letter from a friend or family member can be incredibly uplifting but we know that not everyone will have someone to write to them. This is why we have introduced the ‘Dear Friend’ initiative so that anyone, young or old, can write anonymously to someone in hospital. It can really make a difference and bring some happiness during difficult circumstances”.

The Lincolnshire NHS trusts appreciate that distancing measures may be difficult for family and friends who would like to visit and for patients themselves. However, due to the scale and spread of the virus, this is what is required at this time to keep everyone safe. Ward staff are committed to maintaining contact with families and delivering these important messages that really do make a difference.

Anyone who would like to send a message to a patient can simply email lhnt.ContactYourLovedOnes-LCHS@nhs.net for LCHS wards, email lpft.carers@nhs.net or call 07966 834977 for LPFT wards, or email patient.experience@ulh.nhs.uk for ULHT wards.