Long-term care residents at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital have four new wheelchairs thanks to their families and the Bermuda Public Services Union.

A statement said the donation was possible through the Resident Family Council, which comprises family members of long-term care patients, and the union.

Charles Leon O’Brien Sr, chairman of the council — which meets regularly with hospital staff to ensure their loved ones’ needs are met — said the group asked Maxine Simmons, director of long-term care services and the 2026 Nurse of the Year, what was needed and wheelchairs “were high on that list”.

The council had the Bermuda Hospitals Board source the wheelchairs and approached the BPSU for funding.

Judy Richardson, acting BHB chief executive, said: “In addition to improving the lives of our residents, the gift represents a $5,000 savings to BHB.”

Ms Simmons said: “We are not only grateful for the gift, which includes a bariatrics wheelchair for our obese patients, but also for the assistance our Resident Family Council provides us throughout the year.”

Kevin Grant, BPSU general secretary, said: “We were pleased to be able to assist the Resident Family Council in this effort.

“We greatly appreciate the BPSU for funding this opportunity to enhance mobility for our residents.”