The new message to a loved one service has been launched by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s patient experience team, to help our patients keep in touch with the people they care about while they are in hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Keeping our patients safe is always our number one priority. In-line with guidance issued by NHS England on managing Covid-19 (coronavirus), we have put in place visiting restrictions to all our hospitals, except for parents and carers of those under 18 or for vulnerable adults, to ensure we protect our patients, their families and our staff.

We recognise that not being able to see loved ones will have a significant impact on our patients and the people they are close to. We hope the message to a loved one service will help to bridge the gaps and enable people to feel connected to their loved ones.

Alison Kirk, LPT’s head of patient experience and involvement said “We hope that the new message to a loved one service will bring happiness to our patients and their families. Contact with those you love is so important during this time and plays a crucial role in recovery.

Patients will be asked to nominate the people they want to keep in touch with and will then be able to stay connected through our patient experience team.

The service offers a range of different ways people can maintain contact whilst the visiting restrictions are in place. They can:

  • Be a point of contact for relatives and carers to enquire about patients on our wards
  • Provide advice and answer general queries about how we are managing the Covid-19 situation.
  • Arrange virtual visiting with video call to family
  • Relay messages to and from our patients

The service will not provide any clinical information about patients. The service will liaise with recorded next of kin when a patient is unable to provide consent.

Tel: 0116 295 7297 or 0116 295 0818

Email: LPTpatientexperience@leicspart.nhs.uk

The team can be contacted from 9am – 12 noon, Monday to Friday

Family, friends and carers can also submit messages via our online form: https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/contact/patient-advice-and-liaison-service-pals/message-to-a-loved-one/