Isolated Hartlepool hospice patients get TV lifeline to stay in touch with families thanks to appeal

Alice House Hospice Chief Executive Tracy Woodall issued an open letter around two weeks ago for more of the televisions and accessories so patients and their families can stay in touch by video calls while visiting is restricted.

Within days of the message going out, the hospice in Wells Avenue had donations and pledges to provide 11 TVs and wall brackets – enough for each room – as well as some Facebook Portal TV devices, which enable the TVs to make the video calls.

The TVs and brackets have now been installed and Alice House are awaiting stock of more Facebook Portals to meet demand.

Greg Hildreth, deputy fundraising manager at Alice House was contacted by many of the donors and was overwhelmed by the response.

He said: “The generosity we have seen from our supporters during this challenging time is incredible.

“Despite people and businesses facing pressures and uncertainties themselves, they still came forward to help patients and their families.

“This support will make a huge difference; for some patients it will mean that they are not alone as they approach the end of their lives, giving families a chance to be with them virtually, when they cannot visit in person.

“On behalf of everyone at Alice House, I would like to say a huge thank you and would like to stress the importance of supporting Hospice care at this time, when the majority of our usual fundraising channels have been put on hold.”

Many responses came through social media, highlighting the power of online support and several businesses, hospice volunteers, supporters and staff came to the rescue with donations.

Patients in the hospice’s Long Term Care Unit have only been able to see their families through a window while inpatients are restricted to two named visitors.

Alice House has also appealed for financial support while the lockdown has meant the cancellation of events and temporary shop closures.

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