Parents and carers to receive free meals at Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, thanks to 10-year-old girl's legacy
Parents and carers staying on the children's ward at The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust can now receive free hot meals and drinks, thanks to the last wishes of a young cancer patient.
The Trust is one of several across the UK to join a national initiative between NHS England and the charity Sophie's Legacy, which helps to provide food and essential items to families on children's wards across the UK.
The charity was created in memory of 10-year-old Sophie Fairall who passed away from cancer in 2021, but not before creating a bucket list of changes she wanted implemented after her death.
Two of her wishes were to improve food for children and to ensure parents and carers staying with their children had access to a hot meal and drink during their time on the ward.
In honour of Sophie's Legacy, the charity has donated £5,000 to the Trust to pilot the new scheme which offers a £5 voucher to one resident parent or carer staying on the children's ward [at the Countess of Chester Hospital] to buy a hot meal and drink from the hospital restaurant each day during their child’s stay on the children’s ward.
As well as providing them with a much-needed break for those staying on the ward, the donation will support around 1,000 families during the initial phase of the programme.
Jen Jones, Women and Children’s Directorate Manager at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We are so grateful for the support of this project, which will go a long way to deliver what we feel is a vital area of our care to our patients and their families. IAs a team, we are very passionate about this and the vouchers will help with our wider efforts of ensuring that every patient and family gets the best experience during their hospital visit.”
Kirsty Simmonds, Women and Children’s Service Manager at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added: “It is really important that parents and carers are well-supported throughout their stay on the children’s ward, helping them to care for their children during these often stressful and tiring times.”
“This is such a wonderful initiative from Sophie's Legacy and will make a big difference. For parents that are unable to leave the ward, a staff member can collect the meal on their behalf, so they don’t miss out.”
Published: 23/12/2024