Royal Bournemouth Hospital has launched a new way to connect with family and friends staying in hospital amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the coronavirus began spreading its way through the UK, hospitals have had to enforce restrictions on visiting patients on the wards, but the isolation has left people in need of another way to stay in touch with their loved ones in who are in hospital. Now, The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch NHS Foundation Trust have launched a ‘Keeping in Touch’ email address so that friends and relatives can send letters, messages and even drawings to help cheer patients staying on the wards.
The email inbox is monitored by a group of volunteers, who will print the messages and pictures (in black and white) and deliver them to the recipient.
Paula Shobbrook, Director of Nursing and Midwifery, said: “The visiting restrictions in place are an essential part of reducing the spread of the virus, which helps to keep our patients and staff safe. We understand that this separation is extremely difficult for our patients and their families and we have been working to offer alternative ways for patients to stay in touch with their loved ones.
“We’re thrilled that the system is up and running and hope it will make a real difference to our patients and their family and friends are very grateful to those volunteers who are making this possible.”