Nurse speaking to a patient who is sat in a chair

Specific and Ward Funds

Supporting NHS Lothian to excel for the communities it serves

Every year we support colleagues across NHS Lothian to improve the care and experience patients receive in our hospitals and local communities.

Specific funds can help provide additional patient comforts, specialist equipment, staff development and research projects which are over and above what is provided by the NHS. Hundreds of separate funds are held for specific hospital wards, departments and other areas, and receive donations and legacies from grateful patients and their families.

If you’re an NHS Lothian member of staff, get in touch with us to find out how we can support you and your team to drive forward a new project.

Find out more about how other teams have improved patient care thanks to funding from NHS Lothian Charity

parent showing children how to use a diabetes monitor

Sammy the Sloth: Helping Children Feel Safe, Confident and Connected After a Diabetes Diagnosis

A new diabetes diagnosis can feel frightening and overwhelming for children and their families. It’s a lot for young people to take in and process, especially when they don’t know anyone else living with diabetes, or with a diabetes monitor.

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Young adult renal support worker with patients in front of their exhibition artwork

How Donors are Helping Young Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease Feel Seen, Supported and Less Alone

For young adults living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), life can feel isolating. Hospital appointments dominate everyday life, plans are interrupted by fatigue, and many struggle to explain their condition or hide it completely out of fear of being treated differently.

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two young people playing tennis

Wee Move Event: Helping Children with Cancer Rediscover Confidence, Joy and the Freedom to Play

“I definitely came home with my heart full.“
Staff from across the hospital volunteered their time because they believed in what the day represented: a reminder that childhood doesn’t stop during treatment, it simply needs space, understanding, and compassion to flourish.

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A woman listening at a conference, facing forward taking notes

Giving staff the time, space and support to learn together: Falls Learning Conference 2025

Falls remain a leading cause of injury, loss of independence, and hospital admission among older adults in Lothian.

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