During the Covid 19 pandemic, critically ill patients are separated from family and friends. To alleviate this loneliness, we want to provide tablets/ipads to allow patients to communicate with the outside world. We are aiming to raise £20,000 for 30 tablets for East and North Herts Hospitals.

The Problem

Covid 19 is having a huge effect on all our lives, but have you thought about what happens to those who get admitted to hospital—with or without Covid19?

Their isolation is complete because patients do not get any visitors. They are unwell, scared, in a strange environment and completely bereft of family support and comfort. Nothing could be more lonely and frightening. Some patients even pass away like this.

Some end up in Intensive Care (ICU). They are isolated in an even stranger, technical world which can be very disturbing and disorientating and there is no family with whom they can share the anxiety or anchor onto. 

There are those who end up being ventilated and unconscious for what could be a week or more. Under normal conditions relatives would visit and be encouraged to talk and read to ventilated patients in the hope that hearing them is a comfort. This can no longer happen and may have long term consequences.

For the families there is the added stress of not being able to see or talk to their ill and sometimes dying relations.

The Plan

To help combat this critical loneliness and isolation problem, we want to provide a fleet of Tablets/ipads so that vulnerable patients can contact or be contacted by their families.

Lister Hospital has already expanded its number of ICU beds and they have capacity to increase that considerably further. I propose to raise money for 25 Tablets with arms that attach to the beds, 5 tablets on trolleys which can be moved around, and 3 charging cabinets.

This will allow conscious patients to video call family and friends, and have access to the news and entertainment. Unconscious patients will be connected to their families, so they can be read to, or spoken to, or just seen.

Beyond Covid 19

Once this terrible time is over, these Tablets will continue to be used to link patients with their relations. The 25 Tablets on arms will stay in ICU and the trolley Tablets will be used across the hospital in end of life care.


Our Fundraising goals

I cannot think of anything more lonely and sad than to die somewhere completely removed from ones family and the people we love. For the families to lose relations without the opportunity to support, say goodbye or be present at the end must be heart breaking. To be able to communicate via a Tablet would make such a difference and I hope you will be able to join me in making a gesture to reduce at least some of this terrible pain. The Hospital would be so very grateful for any help you can give towards reaching our aim of £20,000. Your donation will make a huge difference.