The first email patient service in Wales will allow patients to have emails delivered to their bedside by hospital volunteers, thanks to a joint project developed by the North West Wales NHS Trust and Anglesey Community Health Council.

Email a Patient allows patients at Ysbyty Gwynedd to receive printed emails from family and friends during their stay in hospital. The service is accessed through a link on the North West Wales NHS Trust website where the sender is asked to complete a simple form. The email is then sent to a dedicated mailbox, printed and put in a sealed envelope for delivery to the patient by one of the Trust's volunteers as soon as possible.

Martin Jones, chief executive of the North West Wales NHS Trust, said: "As we have a large rural catchment area, this project will be beneficial to patients, families and friends where daily visiting is not always possible. It may break up the tedium of a long stay in hospital and even aid recovery. The Trust hopes to be able to roll out the service to its community hospitals soon."

Philip Bell, temporary chief officer of Anglesey Community Health Council, added: "This is a simple but effective initiative that will contribute to the wellbeing of patients during their stay in hospital. We are pleased to have been able to introduce this project and we will continue to work in partnership with the Trust to ensure that patients' needs are met."