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

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

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.