NHS staff receive knitted hearts for patients during COVID-19

Coronavirus care team overwhelmed by support after public appeal

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Health staff at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have been heartened by a flood of donations after a plea for knitted love hearts to comfort families separated from patients by COVID-19 restrictions.

By The Tees Editorial Desk · 14 April 2020

Staff members at North Tees Hospital holding knitted love hearts Image: Image: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation TrustOriginal source

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Infection control measures during the COVID-19 outbreak have meant patients in critical care are unable to receive visitors, creating a difficult experience for families. Seeking a way to help, critical care nurse Charlotte Ledger launched a social media appeal for knitted love hearts.

The aim is for patients and their families to each hold a matching heart, providing a symbolic link when physical visits are impossible. The appeal quickly gained momentum, being shared over 3,200 times across the region.

Staff at the University Hospital of North Tees have been surprised and grateful for the high volume of responses. The donations are currently being distributed to patients and their relatives.

In addition to the hearts, the team is producing personalised cards for patients' families. The trust expressed its appreciation for the public's generosity during the pandemic.

Archive : This story is based on reporting originally published by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust on 2020-04-14. The original source image has been and credited.