Doctors' surgeries are being helped to keep in touch and carry out consultations with patients during the coronavirus pandemic after receiving a donation of mobile phones.

The Cheltenham Peripheral Primary Care Network received 30 phones from Lister Unified Communications after the Stonehouse firm issued an appeal for businesses to donated unwanted mobiles.

The phones will help ease the strain on the surgeries' phone system, as well as allowing staff to work from home.

Nick House, business manager of the network which has five surgeries covering Cheltenham, Bishop's Cleeve and Winchcombe, contacted Punchline to express thanks to Lister for the donation.

He said: "We want to relay a big thank you to Jim Clapham at Lister for organising the donations of around 30 mobile phones.

"These are being used by the GPs and administrative staff to relieve the pressure on the landlines.

"As the majority of contact with patients is currently by phone, including consultations by video, this gives us far more capacity."

He continued: "The phones also allow those staff self-isolating at home to shield a family member to continue working.

"To do this it is much better to have a dedicated phone."

The donation follows the appeal by Lister, who made sure the phones were in working order before passing them on to the surgery.

Mr Clapham, a director at the communications experts, said: "We're happy to help whenever possible.

"We made the appeal and managed to get enough devices together the next week. One customer donated about 20 basic phones and Smiths donated tablets.

"As well as the Cheltenham Network, we work with some Gloucester surgeries who have had some devices themselves."

For more information about Lister Unified Communications and the services they can provide for your business, please visit https://www.lister-communications.co.uk  or call 01453 829 200.