i-Pad donation by local business helps NDHT stroke patients communicate

Posted on October 31, 2016March 6, 2018

Over and Above ambassador and local businessman Steve Boden, Director of Boden Group Facilities based at Roundswell in Barnstaple, has donated several i-pads to the hospital charity to support patients at the North Devon District Hospital and local community hospitals.

Specialist Neurological Occupational Therapist Ruth Siewruk showing a stroke patient the i-pad, Assistant Practitioner Jemma Sampson and Neuro-Rehabilitation Lead Emma Cork

Steve said “I was pleased to donate the i-pads to the hospital charity so that they could offer them to various departments at the hospital to help their patients on the wards. I was very proud and privileged to be made an ambassador of the Over and Above charity, the Charity helps so many people with such a diverse number of injuries and illnesses and it is a pleasure putting my time to such a worthy cause.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “When I took one of the i-pads to the stroke unit at Bideford Hospital, the staff were thrilled to bits. They couldn’t wait to show it to one of our stroke patients who is being cared for on Elizabeth Ward”.

Specialist Neurological Occupational Therapist Ruth Siewruk said “The i-pads enable us to support our patients with their rehabilitation, exercises and recovery”.

Recently the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust introduced the www.mytherappy.co.uk app review website which has been designed to assist patients and therapists in finding useful apps to aid recovery following a stroke or brain injury. Using the right app is key to incorporating them successfully into patient rehabilitation.

www.mytherappy.co.uk is an excellent tool and allows therapists and patients all over the country to work together to share apps and information.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “i-pads are a wonderful modern way for our staff to help our patients who have suffered from a wide range of illnesses such as stroke, Parkinson’s multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and dementia to support their communication. Additionally, our Special Care Baby Unit also use ipads to enable new mums to see their babies in the ventilators from their hospital bed, giving reassurance that their baby is doing well at a very stressful and difficult time. ”

The hospital charity welcomes donations of i-pads and Android tablets to support our hospital patients and we would be delighted to receive more.

Friends raise thousands for Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team

Posted on May 4, 2016March 6, 2018

PATIENT Christine Beedles was so pleased with her care and rehabilitation by the North Devon Stroke Service that her friends decided to support the service by organising a series of fundraising events. An amazing total of £2,126.15 was raised for the Stroke Supported Discharge Team.

The events included a Big Breakfast at Bradworthy Village Hall organised by fundraiser Carol Skrzypczak, a raffle which included an oil painting by BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year 2012, Lara Virginia, and a coffee morning organised by fundraiser Pym Gander in Dolton.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Lead Emma Cork said “The team are overwhelmed and very grateful for the generosity and support of Christine and her friends.”

Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “The hospital charity Over and Above supports over 90 different departments which includes our stroke, cardiology, chemotherapy and special care baby units. All of our hospital departments are important to us, and this amazing sum of money raised by Christine’s friends will enable us to purchase equipment to help our wonderful staff to care for our stroke patients. The support we receive from our local community makes such a difference in enabling us to provide equipment “over and above” what the NHS can provide, helping us to do so much more for our patients.”

To find out how you can support the hospital charity “Over and Above”, contact the Fundraising Team on 01271 311772 or email ndht.charity@nhs.net or visit www.overandabove.org.uk.

Photograph:

L-R Back: Sally Berkley Sage, Pym Gander, Fran Theakston, Julie Grenge, Hester Gill, Carolyn Skrzypczak

L-R Front (with cheque): Lorraine Forward, Carol Skrzypczak, Malcolm Pidgeon, Neuro-Rehabilitation Lead Emma Cork, Christine Beedles (standing)

Parkhouse Patchwork Group patch for the Stroke Unit

Posted on April 15, 2016March 6, 2018

PARKHOUSE PATCHWORK GROUP has been busy making a beautiful Log Cabin Quilt to raffle at their exhibition in June.

Member Jo Hendy said “The charity was chosen by our Chairlady as her father had a stroke 18 months ago and was treated in the Acute Stroke Unit at North Devon District Hospital. We were aware that they need an ECG machine and we decided to help.”

The quilt is on display at North Devon District Hospital in the main foyer on most Wednesday’s and the raffle tickets are available for purchase Monday to Friday on the Over and Above charity stall.

The Parkhouse Patchwork Group Exhibition will take place at the Parkhouse Centre in Bude from 2^nd – 4^th June, and will include a wide selection of patchwork and quilted items to view as well as a sales table, raffles, tombolas, demonstrations and refreshments.

The patchwork group based in Bude has over 60 members which meet every fortnight between September and June.

Over and Above Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “Parkhouse Patchwork Group have put an amazing amount of work into their Log Cabin quilt. Without doubt, it must have taken hours to work up and design. We are absolutely delighted the ladies have chosen to support our Stroke Unit with the raffle.”

If you would like to give your support to the hospital charity Over and Above or if you want to find out more, please visit; www.overandabove.org.uk and the charity’s Facebook page or contact the North Devon District Hospital Fundraising Team on 01271 311772 or email ndht.charity@nhs.net.

Photographs L-R: Back Row: Maria Berkley, Carole Sparham, Jean Coumbe, Liz Blair, Joan Gleinsinger, Joan Lashbrook

Front Row: Ruth Pearce, Jen Bond, Jeanette Orr, Jo Hendy, Sue Bentley and Caroline Miller.