Freemasons donate tablets for patients

Freemasons in Durham have given generously as part of a national initiative by Freemasons across England and Wales to help people in hospital stay in touch with their loved ones during the coronavirus crisis.

They have provided 50 Samsung Galaxy tablets to NHS hospitals in the Sunderland, Durham, Darlington,Gatesheadand North Tees areas to allow patients to communicate with their families.

Doctors have been forced to limit visits to patients to control infections. Some of those suffering from the virus can be in intensive care for two to three weeks or more, with one-to-one visits only being allowed for dying patients.

PatChambers,charitydevelopment manager for the CountyDurhamandDarlington NHS Foundation Trust

Charity organisation, said: “Working in these unprecedented times, it has been challenging to help our patients maintain connectivity with their families – particularly with the current restrictions on visitors to our hospital sites. “This donation from Durham Freemasons will help reduce lonelinessandisolationin our wards, helping patients to establish contact with their families, listen to radio or watch afilm,orevenplaypuzzle games on the tablets.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of this wonderful donation and would like to thank everyone at Durham Freemasons who made this possible.”

Andie Ruddy, North Tees healthcare assistant, added: “The tablets will allow us to provide privacy for our patients and their families at a very difficult time.”