Coffee campaign aims to fuel Perth medical staff

A CAMPAIGN to fund free coffee for frontline hospital staff dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is sweeping through Perth.

Fuelling the Frontline launches today, calling on local businesses and the community to donate as little as $5 to provide free cups of coffee to as many hospital workers as possible in coming weeks.

Hospitals are facing unprecedented pressure because of the surge in cases of COVID-19 and all forecasts suggest the demand will escalate in coming weeks and months.

Overseen by the Australian Medical Association (WA) , the campaign was developed by health journalists  Marnie McKimmie, Kristen Watts, Cathy O’Leary and Peta Rasdien, who decided to tap into the overwhelming community gratitude for frontline health staff.

The project will respect social distancing and hygiene guidelines and be driven solely on social media platforms, where people can shout a coffee or two from their homes and be part of a “hero wall” to leave a message for WA’s incredible front-liners.

The campaign will initially target coffee shops at three tertiary hospital sites with ICUs and COVID clinics — Royal Perth, Sir Charles Gairdner and Fiona Stanley hospitals.

Hospital-based coffee shops can apply to the AMA to take part, and hospitals themselves will help decide how best to allocate free coffees once the campaign rolls out. All money raised will be spent on the most pressing needs of hospital workers.

Health Minister Roger Cook said it was a simple but important way of showing appreciation to frontline staff grappling with a once-in-a-generation health crisis.

“As everyone knows, the coronavirus pandemic will put our hospital system under unprecedented pressure,” Mr Cook said.

“Our frontline hospital workers will be working tirelessly to make sure they help protect you, me and our families.

“That’s why I’m supporting this, to buy them a cup of coffee so they feel valued.”

AMA (WA) president Dr Andrew Miller said it was a stressful time for hospital staff.

“If you can offer support to get them a coffee after they’ve done something tricky for all these COVID patients coming in, that’s going to make all the difference, because it’s symbolic that you’re standing behind them and thinking about them,” Dr Miller said.

“They’ve got skills, don’t worry about that, and they’ve got the dedication, and knowing you’ve got their back with something as a simple as a flat white will make all the difference with them picking up and moving on to the next patient.”

Other key start-up sponsors are Adopt a Healthcare Worker WA, Smith Coffey medical accountants, Capture Images photography and medical supplier ConvaTec.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/fuellingthefrontline.