A ‘VIRTUAL Visiting’ system has been introduced so hospital patients can keep in touch with their loved ones during the cornavirus pandemic.
It’s all thanks to the donation of more than 130 iPads to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
Virtual Visiting is now up and running at the Alexandra and Worcestershire Royal Hospitals, allowing patients to have vital contact with their nearest and dearest via Facetime and Skype at a time when visiting restrictions in place due to Covid-19 mean they are unable to see them in the flesh.
The iPads have been donated by various businesses and charities, including Network Rail, the Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Worcestershire Health and Care Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity.
The Trust has also received funding for iPad mobile carts and iPad stands to make them suitable for use in areas such as intensive care.
The Virtual Visiting project follows the success of the iPads already in use in the neonatal unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, helping mums bond to their newborn babies when they are separated from them because of the need for further medical treatment.
Vicky Morris, chief nursing officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “At a time when we have had to restrict visiting across our hospital sites to keep our staff and patients as safe as possible, these devices are invaluable.
“They allow us to connect families, so that our patients can see and speak to their loved ones and get some comfort at what is an immensely worrying and anxious time for everyone.
“A huge thank you to everyone who has enabled us to make virtual visiting possible. It means a lot to our staff, patients and of course their families.”
