Virtual visits helping
Thanks to modern technology, a group of patients at University Hospital Wishaw have been able to receive virtual visits from their loved ones.
The patients, who are all in ward 10, have received video calls from their family members.
Due to COVID-19, visiting at all NHS Lanarkshire hospitals was suspended to limit the spread of coronavirus and protect vulnerable patients. Visiting is available in very limited circumstances.
Gillian Thomson, charge nurse, said: “Our patients are generally frail, elderly and not all of them have access to a mobile phone.
“Although we keep families informed of how their relatives are, it is unfortunate that they are not able to see them and witness how they are recovering.
“Due to the nature of the patients that we care for, the majority receive care from their family members at home as well as home care and are used to seeing them multiple times a week.
“We have one iPad in the ward, which we decided to set up to enable us to video call family members via Facetime or Skype.
“Patients and their families are jumping at the chance to get involved.
“We now have around seven patients taking advantage of this technology every day, with many being able to chat with several of their family members throughout the day.
“Patients are telling us that a video chat with their family is the best thing to happen to them that day as it lifts their spirits.”
One family who have benefitted from virtual visiting is the Picken family.
Ian Picken managed to “see” his 86-year-old father while he was a patient in ward 10.
His dad, Jim, has been in and out of hospital due to a benign tumour on the brain which is causing him to be light-headed and affecting his balance.
Ian said: “My dad has been in hospital since the start of the lockdown, we haven’t seen him since he was admitted.
“Over the past few years, my dad has become gradually weaker and I now visit him daily to make sure he is ok.
“A daily visit has become part of my routine.
“Although I know he is in good hands in the hospital, I miss not being able to see my dad every day.
“I am very close to my family. When my mum was in hospital, I barely left her side for five weeks.
“I would do the same for my dad and I can’t just now.
“My dad is normally a very chirpy guy. I noticed a difference in him from not speaking to his family for a few weeks.
“Virtual visiting is a great idea, especially since I am aware that the staff will be run off their feet. I’m grateful for them facilitating any time I can get to see him.”