The funds will be used during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase support for staff and improve patient care at the Royal Stoke Hospital and County Hospital, Stafford.

UHNM CEO Tracy Bullock said: “We are extremely grateful to the Denise Coates Foundation for this significant grant to support our staff and patients during COVID-19 and beyond.

“As a result of COVID we have rapidly established new ways of working but in some circumstances are lacking the technology to do this in the most effective way.

“This investment will help fund schemes and provide latest technology to improve communications between clinicians; between clinicians and patients and between patients and their families.”

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bet365 has guaranteed payment for its workforce for at least the next five months, also ensuring there will be no job losses in the period.

In January, it was announced the Bet365 owners placed highest on the list of taxpayers in the UK.

The tax paid by Denise, John and Peter Coates rose by 177% from £156m to £276m from 2018 to 2019, according to The Sunday Times.