App keeping families and children connected now free for hospices
04 May 2020
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A video diary app used in hospitals around the UK to help keep patients and their families connected is now available to children’s hospices free of charge.
vCreate allows healthcare staff to produce videos and photos for families of patients when they can’t visit in person. It is already established in over 100 NHS paediatric, neonatal and adult intensive care units throughout the UK, and is being used by Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) as well as Zoe’s Place in Teeside.
The photo and video updates can provide comfort to families by keeping them updated on their child’s condition and general wellbeing, something that’s even more critical during the current global crisis when almost all visits to hospitals and hospices are limited.
Lindsey, whose son Cody is supported by CHAS’ Robin House facility, said: “Our family have experienced an incredibly difficult time, and the anxiety of being separated from my son has made it unbearable at times. Robin House wouldn’t let me feel like that and shared all his events and special moments with me in real-time. The tears of joy came when I opened my first vCreate message and saw my boy! A feeling of peace came over me at once knowing he was alright and enjoying himself.”
Eilidh Grant, Activities Coordinator at Robin House, said: “It can be difficult for families to leave their child at the hospice on their own, especially if it’s for the first time. By using vCreate we can send instant updates and it means parents can keep in touch with their child no matter where they are or what the time of day. This helps ease any worries and reduces separation anxiety, and is also a great way to capture special moments that families can treasure forever.”
Usually dependent on support from charities, in light of the difference the platform has made to patients, families and professionals at CHAS, and the pressure the pandemic has put on healthcare facilities and families, vCreate has decided to offer its platform to all UK children’s hospices for free.
Ben Moore, Founder of vCreate, said: “We want to do whatever we possibly can to help support families, healthcare workers, and patients in children’s hospices across the UK. With many hospices having to protect their vulnerable patients at this critical time, we hope sharing video and photo updates with loved ones will bring some comfort to those who cannot be with their children.
“We know from our experience in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units that these updates make a real difference to families’ mental health, and help with staff morale during these extremely challenging times.”
