Appeal for iPad donations to allow FaceTime at Sheffield hospital

Sophie Gascoigne’s mum Sarah has worked as a nurse at the hospital for 30 years covering elderly care and dementia wards. But with patients and their relatives not currently allowed to see each other, Sophie said Sarah is finding it tough to console them.

She said: “The hardest thing my mum is having to face at the moment is the heartbreak of trying to comfort both patients and relatives who are not allowed to see their loved ones.

“She’s finding the patients are getting quite distressed because they can’t have any visitors. They have no way of communicating with their families as most of them don’t have phones.”

Sophie, from Barnsley, came up with the idea of asking people to donate old, unused iPads or other technology that can be used for FaceTime so patients could see and speak to their loved ones. She wants to source six iPads – two for each ward her mum works on.

She said it would be her way of helping her mum and her colleagues on the front line in the fight against coronavirus.

Sophie said: “It’s scary but it’s got to be done and I’m really proud of her for doing that and being a nurse for as long as she has. I’m very grateful for what she does.”

To donate an iPad or other technology that can be used for FaceTime, call Sophie on 07538512345.

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