TAMESIDE and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT has been given 10 tablets to help patients keep in contact with their loved ones.
They came from Glossop-based charity PCrefurb and will be used by patients to contact their family and friends while they are staying in hospital, if they are unable to use their own mobile phone.
At the present time visiting is suspended at the Trust which is very difficult for patients and their families.
The patient experience and PALS team has introduced new initiatives for families to be able to keep in contact while they are in hospital or care unit, as well as assisting with video calls the team have introduced initiatives to send messages to patients and keeping families and friends updated on how patients are doing.
PCrefurb donate IT equipment to individuals and groups in need. They also provide informal training and technical advice at a drop-in workshop, directly supporting the local community. Their workshop is currently closed due to the current pandemic situation and they wanted to do their bit to support the community.
Cllr Ed Kelly, chair of trustees and Mayor of High Peak, instigated a tablet appeal so families can keep in touch by video. Thanks to support from individuals and businesses including Benchmark International and Myson Pages, they have been able to give new tablets to hospices, hospitals and care homes in Glossop, Tameside and the High Peak.
Karen James, chief executive of Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT, said: “I would like to thank PCrefurb for their very kind donation. These devices will mean that more of our patients can keep in touch with their family and friends, which we know is so important to help with their care while in hospital.
“This is a really tough time for everyone but especially those with loved ones in hospitals or care units that they cannot visit. At the Trust we are committed to doing the best we can to care for our patients, so we hope the initiatives we have implemented will offer support and comfort to our patients and their families and friends.”
For more information about visiting at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT visit the website, https://www.tamesidehospital.nhs.uk/patients/