RUSSELLS Hall Hospital in Dudley has teamed up with Black Country Foodbank to provide emergency food and toiletry parcels for elderly, vulnerable patients when they are discharged.

The team who discharge patients will either be providing them with enough food to make meals for a couple of days, or a food voucher for those who are able to get to a foodbank once they are back at home.

Senior discharge facilitator Taahira Patel said: “We are here to make sure patients are discharged safely and by joining with Black Country Foodbank we can help our most vulnerable patients have enough food to act as a breathing space while a longer term solution can be developed.”

Diane Wake, chief executive of The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, added: “Safety of our patients is our top priority and providing food parcels or vouchers will really help the most vulnerable in our community, especially during the current pandemic.”

Anyone wishing to support the efforts of Black Country Foodbank can go to the charity's website blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk