Technology appeal for Marymount Hospice
Donation protected
The response to our appeal has been amazing. Thank you so much. While we are no longer accepting second-hand devices we still welcome donations to help with costs of IT set up and additional items to support our new electronic way of working.
As you know due to Covid-19 precautions we have had to severely restrict our visitors into Marymount. This was a very difficult decision to make and not one made lightly. We value our person and family centred service and we know our open visiting policy helps both our patients and families come to terms with difficult situations. However right now people’s safety and health is absolutely paramount and we thank you all for your understanding.
In practice without the normal face-to-face interactions with their loved ones our patients understandably may feel a little lost without their trusted partner, siblings, son, daughters and friends - the people who are their guardians and protectors in their time of need.
John* a sprightly 94 year old, is one of our current patients. Four weeks ago John brought his 87 year old wife, Nora* a cup of tea in bed like every other day. Later that day his doctor advised John that he needed to be admitted to an acute Cork hospital due to increasingly severe pains. The following day he was admitted.
Nora and his daughter Mary* nor any other family member have not been able to physically see John since the day he was admitted four weeks ago. It was four days before they could even hear his voice using his first mobile phone that Mary left in the hospital reception for his use. While John is thankfully not suffering from Covid-19, the current precautions are having a huge impact on him and his family.
John was transferred to Marymount two weeks ago. Earlier this week one of our pastoral care team spotted an ipad that had been delivered for his attention with instructions from his daughter Mary. Together they set it up and within 10 minutes John was able to facetime his daughter and then his wife Nora. It was a wonderful emotional moment as they spoke and laughed face to face for the first time in a month, catching up on the news, sharing jokes, singing songs, bemoaning the lack of hairdressing facilities (aren’t we all Nora!) and connecting.
Not only this – John’s ipad has meant that his daughter Mary can be move involved in details of his care, as she would have been in more normal circumstances, and she has been videoconferenced during medical appointments meaning she can help support him from afar.
Due to social distancing, families are unable to support their loved ones in the way they would have before. People who are admitted to Marymount are not able to be present; to hold their loved ones hands at times they might need that simple comfort and physical touch.
Unfortunately we cannot change the circumstances we are in and we have to comply with the restrictions for the health of all. But we can adapt to our new reality. We are incredibly thankful to have the wonderful technology that is available to us helping us to assist our patients to connect with their loved ones
Led by our pastoral care team, we have purchased two designated ward ipads and we have also received five donated iPads. Due to infection control we would love to be in a position to have an ipad or tablet in every room so that this connection is available to all. If you would like to support us in any way in helping us to open up connections between our patients and their families – we are very gratefully accepting donations of tablets and ipads. If you are able to help us in any way please email us today.
And a sincere thank you to John Nora and Mary for agreeing to sharing their story with you all.
*Names changed to protect identities
As you know due to Covid-19 precautions we have had to severely restrict our visitors into Marymount. This was a very difficult decision to make and not one made lightly. We value our person and family centred service and we know our open visiting policy helps both our patients and families come to terms with difficult situations. However right now people’s safety and health is absolutely paramount and we thank you all for your understanding.
In practice without the normal face-to-face interactions with their loved ones our patients understandably may feel a little lost without their trusted partner, siblings, son, daughters and friends - the people who are their guardians and protectors in their time of need.
John* a sprightly 94 year old, is one of our current patients. Four weeks ago John brought his 87 year old wife, Nora* a cup of tea in bed like every other day. Later that day his doctor advised John that he needed to be admitted to an acute Cork hospital due to increasingly severe pains. The following day he was admitted.
Nora and his daughter Mary* nor any other family member have not been able to physically see John since the day he was admitted four weeks ago. It was four days before they could even hear his voice using his first mobile phone that Mary left in the hospital reception for his use. While John is thankfully not suffering from Covid-19, the current precautions are having a huge impact on him and his family.
John was transferred to Marymount two weeks ago. Earlier this week one of our pastoral care team spotted an ipad that had been delivered for his attention with instructions from his daughter Mary. Together they set it up and within 10 minutes John was able to facetime his daughter and then his wife Nora. It was a wonderful emotional moment as they spoke and laughed face to face for the first time in a month, catching up on the news, sharing jokes, singing songs, bemoaning the lack of hairdressing facilities (aren’t we all Nora!) and connecting.
Not only this – John’s ipad has meant that his daughter Mary can be move involved in details of his care, as she would have been in more normal circumstances, and she has been videoconferenced during medical appointments meaning she can help support him from afar.
Due to social distancing, families are unable to support their loved ones in the way they would have before. People who are admitted to Marymount are not able to be present; to hold their loved ones hands at times they might need that simple comfort and physical touch.
Unfortunately we cannot change the circumstances we are in and we have to comply with the restrictions for the health of all. But we can adapt to our new reality. We are incredibly thankful to have the wonderful technology that is available to us helping us to assist our patients to connect with their loved ones
Led by our pastoral care team, we have purchased two designated ward ipads and we have also received five donated iPads. Due to infection control we would love to be in a position to have an ipad or tablet in every room so that this connection is available to all. If you would like to support us in any way in helping us to open up connections between our patients and their families – we are very gratefully accepting donations of tablets and ipads. If you are able to help us in any way please email us today.
And a sincere thank you to John Nora and Mary for agreeing to sharing their story with you all.
*Names changed to protect identities
Organizer
Marymount Hospice
Organizer
