The Friends of the Wisbech Hospitals charity has made a hugely generous donation of £10,000 towards The Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s (QEH) Dementia Care Appeal which sets out to help improve the experience of its patients living with Dementia.
The charity’s very generous donation has helped QEH to order a new Reminiscence Interactive Therapy and Activities (RITA) device as well as upgrade an existing RITA device which enable staff and volunteers to engage patients in activities to make them feel more at ease during their hospital stay.
The large 24” touch screen enables staff to connect patients with activities such as listening to music and poetry and taking part in interactive games which help to trigger conversations and memories, which in turn improves their health and wellbeing.
The groups donation has also enabled the order of a hand-picked activity packs from specialist provider Relish, which includes games, reminiscence cards and jigsaw puzzles.
These packs are designed to entertain, boost independence and support changing abilities.
Malcolm Bruce, Chairman at The Friends of the Wisbech Hospitals, said:
“Myself and my fellow Trustees are acutely aware of the close relationship North Cambs Hospital has with QEH.”
“Consequently, I and the Friends’ officers are pleased to support the Dementia Care Appeal. QEH has always been regarded as North Cambs sister hospital, certainly since the early 1970’s.”
“When I was employed at North Cambs in 1978 my contract was with the King’s Lynn and Wisbech Hospitals, and one of the Units I managed in Wisbech was a 40 bedded unit for people with Dementia.”
“Many of the Friends have personal experience of loved ones having Dementia. The Friends are about to embark on helping with the re development of the North Cambs site to the tune of about £250,000 so we felt a donation to the QEH project appropriate”.
Professor Steve Barnett, Chairman at QEH, said: “We are extremely grateful to The Friends of the Wisbech Hospitals for their generosity, support, and commitment to the Trust. This donation will make an enormous difference to the wellbeing of our patients living with dementia.”
Caroline Shaw CBE, Chief Executive at QEH, said: “We are very lucky to have a fantastic local community who have supported this important fundraising appeal which has enabled us to make significant improvements at QEH. Thanks to The Friends of the Wisbech Hospitals we have been able to purchase specialist equipment which will really make a difference to the care and wellbeing of our patients living with Dementia.”
To donate to the Dementia Care Appeal, visit justgiving.com/campaign/QEHDementiaCareAppeal or send a cheque payable to ‘Dementia Care Appeal’, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn, Gayton Road, King’s Lynn, PE30 4ET.
For further information, to sponsor specific items or support with fundraising activities, please contact QEH Fundraising Executive Laurence Morlaàs on 01553 613373 or laurence.morlaas@qehkl.nhs.uk.
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For more information, please contact communicationsQEH@qehkl.nhs.uk or call 01553 613216.
Download the press release and photo here.
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