Following the restrictions on visiting to hospitals across the Trust, physiotherapists at the Cumberland Infirmary raised funds to purchase iPads for patients to enable them to communicate with their loved ones.
The physiotherapists took the part in the ‘Big Shave’ and were overwhelmed with the response raising over £5000. The money has now been used to purchase 11 ipads, Interserve also kindly donated two iPads and a further four iPads were donated from Innovia Films at Wigton.
Liz Tinnion said “We would like to say a big thank you, we are incredibly grateful to everyone for their support, kindness and are incredibly grateful. We would also like to thank Munna Ali, information security officer for all of his help in getting the iPads set up quickly so they could be used on the wards as soon as possible.”
The iPads have now been distributed to various ward areas and community hospitals. The patients have already been thoroughly enjoying their virtual visits and connecting with their loved ones.
If families would like to arrange a virtual visit with a patient they just need to ask the ward via telephone and ensure they have a device which has a microphone and webcam.
The Patient Experience and Involvement Team and PALS can also support relatives to send a message to patients on the wards, they will be printed and laminated and then sent to the relevant ward. Relatives need to email or phone their message in and include:
- Your loved ones name and date of birth
- Your message with a photograph included as an email attachment if you wish.
Anyone wanting to send a message to a relative in hospital should contact:
Freephone: 0800 633 5547 or 01228 814008 or email PALS@ncic.nhs.uk
The service is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.