NHS Discounts, which provides employee benefits to 800,000 NHS staff across the UK, has branched out to support patients as well, with a charitable donation to Selly Oak Hospital.
In conjunction with one of its core partners, Acer, the company has arranged the donation of 10 new laptops, worth around £8,000, for use by recovering military personnel at the hospital, which hosts the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM).
NHS Discounts Chief Executive Officer Chris Heather visited the hospital late last year, to discuss how his business could support the new NHS Health and Wellbeing Initiative for staff.
During the visit, he became aware of the fact that recovering military patients need a wide range of different entertainment to occupy them during what could be hospital stays of several months.
He spoke to Acer, one of the company’s long-term partners, and arranged donation of the laptops, which will allow the military patients to keep in touch with family and friends.
Major Ian Cheesman RLC, Officer Commanding Patient Support Services, said: “We are really grateful to NHS Discounts and Acer for this donation.
“The laptops will be used on the wards at Selly Oak where our military patients can use them to type letters, keep a diary of recovery and entertain themselves whilst they are receiving treatment, which can often be a lengthy process.
“They can also keep in touch with family, friends and comrades which is really beneficial to their recovery. “
Chris Heather of NHS Discounts, said: “Our business is all about making life better for NHS staff, but on this occasion we could see an opportunity to help patients, too.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
“We are delighted to be able to make a difference to the patients at the hospital, and we look forward to continuing to support its staff through our comprehensive benefits scheme.”
Bobby Watkins, Country Manager of Acer UK, said “Acer is proud to support the military patients of Selly Oak Hospital, and hope that the donation of the Acer Notebooks will help the soldiers through their rehabilitation by keeping them connected with their friends, family and comrades.”
