Charity fund backs efforts

Funding has been approved by the Tayside Health Fund, the NHS Tayside charity fund, to help alleviate suffering caused by COVID-19.

The cash boost was announced by Emma Jane Wells, chair of Tayside Health Fund.

She said:“This funding will be used to support initiatives which will provide much-needed comfort and to fund important medical research linked specifically to COVID-19.

“We have made an award to create a research and development fund to support much-needed research into the effects of COVID-19.

“The first tranche of funding will go to support research into the effects of this disease on pregnant women and newborn babies.

“A further award has been approved for the creation of comfort packs for patients, volunteers, carers and staff who find themselves in hospital for an unexpected lengthy stay, or for staff who have had an unexpected long shift.”

Richard McIntosh, spokesperson for the Tayside Health Fund, said:“This is just the first phase of funding given the unprecedented nature of the situation.

“We will be considering what else the fund can do to support patients, carers, volunteers and hard-working NHS staff at this time.”

Additional funds will also be made available to the Tayside Health Fund via the NHS Charities Together Campaign to support health and social care in Tayside communities.

People can donate online and get further information via www. taysidehealthfund.scot. nhs.uk