Groups keep Caithness hospital patients connected with tablet computers
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TWO community groups have gifted a total of 30 Samsung tablet computers to hospitals in Caithness to help keep patients and staff connected.
Caithness Health Action Team (Chat) donated 10 of the devices to the infection control ward at Caithness General Hospital and three more to its main wards.
The League of Friends of Caithness General Hospital handed over five tablets to the infection control ward and gave the main wards another five.
In addition, Chat provided four tablets to Wick's Town and County Hospital and three to the Dunbar Hospital in Thurso.
Chat secretary Maria Aitken said: "Caithness Health Action Team and the League of Friends wanted to help patients and staff in our local hospitals. We contacted local NHS Highland managers and agreed that providing high-quality Samsung tablets, with protective wipeable covers, would be an excellent way to help – especially as at the moment there is no visiting allowed.
"The tablets can be used by staff, talking through and actually showing families what is happening with their loved ones. Ministers can pray with the patients to give comfort and support, and patients themselves can use the tablets to communicate with their family or friends."
Maria added: "This pandemic has highlighted to us the importance of having our hospital care close to home and within our communities. We would like to thank all the healthcare staff for being there for us and this gift is just a small indication of our sincere gratitude for all they are doing for our community."
Chat also donated a substantial sum to the Corner Café in Wick to help supply meals to hospital staff.
Annette Sinclair, chairperson of the League of Friends of Caithness General Hospital, said: "The 10 Samsung tablets gifted by the League of Friends will have varying degrees of usefulness at this time.
"For example staff will be able to use them to speak to patients’ families while the patient is there, and patients will be able to speak to ministers for spiritual guidance, to pray with them and to gain comfort and support. Patients will also be able to access online newspapers, and they can use the tablets to communicate with their family or friends.
"The tablets were part-funded by a very generous online raffle run on Facebook by Jan Sutherland Floristry. Jan raffled one of her faux luxury heart door wreaths which raised a total of £1200 for the League of Friends.
"We are really grateful to Jan for doing this and to the public who bought the raffle tickets."
The door wreath was won by Rosemary Muir of Canisbay.
The League of Friends has also donated three blood pressure monitors to the Bignold ward at the hospital. As well as that, members have handed their regular toiletries for use by patients.
"This has been especially important at this time because patients are not having visitors to bring these necessities in for them," Annette pointed out. "There have also been biscuits, chocolate and juice for staff and patients.
"Our work is ongoing in the hospital, even at this dreadful and worrying time, even though fundraising is not possible."
