Breakfast packs are being given to  struggling Royal Bolton Hospital staff and across the trust as workers suffer financial hardship due to the cost of living crisis.

Workforce Director James Mawrey says the scheme  has been “extremely well received” by a small number of people who need it the most.

He said the packs were given out discreetly and it is hoped that more who need help will come forward to take advantage of the scheme.

Mr Mawrey said: “The breakfast packs have been extremely well received, but by small numbers

“There’s a bit more work to do there in terms of the footfall.

“But that’s okay actually because it’s there to really help with those individuals who need that help.

“And we’ve been really keen to do it in a very discreet way.”

The Bolton News:

The hospital also signposts staff who need it to a range of support for financial wellbeing, putting extra counselling on, and offering additional support from the occupational health team as a result of spiralling costs being faced by workers.

Mr Mawrey added: “We’ve put in place a plethora of other things such as the signposting for the financial wellbeing, and put extra the counselling, and additional support from the occupational health team on the floor - which has been really well received.

“It’s been a cost-of-living focus on a bespoke basis because we are such a huge organisation there’s different pressures across departments.”

Vouchers have also been handed out and said to have been “exceptionally well received”.

Hospital bosses said this was a “small gesture” to say thank you for their hard work during an especially challenging period.

The Bolton News:

According to a study carried out more than 2,000 health workers revealed that the rising cost of living and years of poor pay increases for NHS staff, mean more are struggling with day-to-day living costs, said unions.

The report said the situation was worsening by the week, with more staff falling into debt and turning to foodbanks to feed their families.

The survey was part of a campaign representing 13 NHS health unions including the Royal College of Midwives, Unison, Unite, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the GMB.

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