Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity, is making its Cardiff Bay and Vale Hospitals available to NHS patients following discussions with NHS Wales about how independent hospitals can support efforts against the coronavirus (Covid-19). Nuffield Health has also offered support with clinicians, support services and clinical equipment.
Detailed conversations are currently taking place with local NHS colleagues about the level of support that NHS Wales needs. The immediate support will be for NHS patients needing time-sensitive surgery. The Charity will be reimbursed at cost meaning no profit will be made and this will be audited by external auditors.
Rob Thomas, Hospital Director of Nuffield Health’s Cardiff and Vale Hospitals, explains: “We have long-standing relationships with our local NHS colleagues. We are pleased to be able to offer our support to NHS patients, hospitals, clinical teams and local communities in Wales at this challenging time.
“As a charity, we are proud to be an important part of the healthcare system in Wales and to be taking our place alongside our NHS colleagues in our national effort to care for people affected by coronavirus (Covid-19) and other urgent health conditions. Our clinical teams are ready to support the NHS front-line clinical teams and we will be providing access to our full range of services.
“We are committed to supporting local communities across Wales in any way we can. As part of this, we are looking at how we can help the more vulnerable people in our communities and supporting parents to keep their children active while schools are closed by extending our flagship programmes at no cost, all available at www.nuffieldhealth.com/kidswellbeing. We are also offering online fitness classes and emotional wellbeing guidance to keep people fit and emotionally resilient at this time.”
This announcement follows on from Nuffield Health’s recent agreement with NHS England to make 29 hospitals available to NHS trusts across England. This includes reviewing how its workforce across its network of fitness and wellbeing clubs and clinics can support NHS hospitals
Steve Gray, Chief Executive at Nuffield Health, says:“This is an unprecedented time, as the UK’s largest healthcare charity we have a huge role to play in supporting the NHS patients in our local communities across the nation. We, alongside other independent hospital providers, have been in discussions with the NHS about how we can support the NHS. This is likely to be for a minimum of three months while the coronavirus (Covid-19) situation continues to require our support.”
