UHDB launches new messaging service for patients' families
UHDB has introduced a brand new service to help patients stay in contact with their families from their hospital ward while current visiting restrictions are in place because of COVID-19.
The Trust can now arrange for patients to receive a short written message from their loved ones, to improve their wellbeing and make them feel less isolated.
UHDB’s Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) team will be coordinating the messaging service.
PALS colleagues will only be able to pass on messages from families to patients on the ward one-way and not vice-versa, with the new service ensuring that families can send our patients love and support while they’re in hospital, so as to improve their wellbeing and overall hospital experience.
Messages will be delivered to hospital wards by the PALS team once a day, with the service only initially available during the team’s usual opening hours in the week, although, depending on the number of contacts received, there may be a possibility of extending this into the weekend and early evenings.
In line with other NHS trusts, UHDB has temporarily changed visiting restrictions to help respond to COVID-19, with visiting now strictly restricted to essential visitors only.