iPads donated to Critical Care Unit to keep patients connected to loved ones
Ten iPads have been donated to the Critical Care Unit at Nottingham University Hospitals to enable patients to keep in contact with their loved ones.
The iPads were donated by The Mellors Group in Nottingham who wanted to help the community.
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic and to keep everyone safe, visiting restrictions are in place at the hospital, meaning some patients are unable to be visited physically by their loved ones.
To keep the patients and their families virtually connected, the iPads have apps installed on them such as Facetime, Whatsapp and Google Hangouts.
Staff will also help the patients – with permission from families if required - with the iPads if they are unable to use them.
Charmaine Buss, a Specialist Nurse in Adult Critical Care at Nottingham University Hospitals, said: “We are so grateful to The Mellors Group for their generosity and for donating the iPads.They will make a hug positive difference to our patients and their families and it will help them to keep in touch during this difficult period.
“Throughout the pandemic we have been overwhelmed by the kindness the public has shown and for their ongoing support.”
The iPads are a welcome addition to the existing ones the unit has to keep people connected. Our Digital Services have also been instrumental in the process and have set the iPads up for the ward to use.
James Mellors, a director of Mellors Group says, “During these unprecedented times, our family would like to help the community that we have all grown up in as much as we can.
“It is with deep sadness that we have lost the life of one of our dear friends and a legend in the fairground industry.
“Phil Heath lost his battle to Covid-19 and due to his family experiencing symptoms of the virus, they did not get to say their goodbyes.
“In memory of Phil, we are donating ten new iPads to our local hospitals to help keep families connected and provide an additional aid of emotional support.
“We hope that everyone is staying safe and we look forward to seeing you all happy and healthy in the near future.”
Members of the public have also been doing their bit by knitting hearts for patients.
The aim of the hearts is to connect people when they cannot be together. One heart is given to the patient and the other is sent to the family at home.
Alongside this, the hospital also sends a little card with some words on to the family.
While our visiting restrictions remain in place to keep everyone safe and to reduce the spread of Covid-19, we are encouraging people to take advantage of our virtual visiting options.
This includes things such as phone calls, FaceTime and getting support from our Spiritual and Pastoral Care team to keep in touch with someone who is in hospital.
So far nearly 500 people have used our Messages to Loved Ones service since it was set up earlier this year, which enables people to send in a letter, a message or photos to loved ones in hospital.