iPad donations to help keep families in touch with each other at Basildon Hospital
The daughter of a recovering Covid patient is fundraising to supply new iPads for patients who cannot see their family.
Danielle Rix, from Wickford, has almost reached £3,000 and has plans to raise more.
Danielle’s dad Paul Smith, a train driver from Wickford, was admitted to the Frederick Banting Ward at Basildon Hospital in August this year and spent 12 days on a ventilator.
Danielle said: “We were unable to visit Dad in hospital, but a FaceTime call set up by Dad’s critical care nurse brought reassurance to the family, it also gave him the morale and strength to fight for his life.”
Paul is now at home with his family caring for him, receiving oxygen and check-up calls from the hospital.
Paul said: “I want to thank all of the brilliant staff for all their amazing care in my time in Basildon Hospital.
“My evening catch ups with my family on the hospital iPad gave me something to look forward to, and helped remind me that despite the no visitor rule on the ward, my family were still with me. I just wanted to help give the possibility of that experience to someone else.”
Roopson Paluri, matron on the ward, said: “These iPads will be so helpful and Danielle’s fundraising will make such a big difference to our patients and their families.”
Danielle’s overall aim is to raise enough money to supply as many new iPads for Basildon Hospital’s intensive care unit as possible, to make a huge difference to both current and future patients and their families.