The occupational therapy department at Mayo University Hospital are inviting family and friends of patients in the hospital to email a letter, photo or video which will be printed, popped into an envelope and delivered to their loved one in hospital.
Videos are loaded onto a tablet which is brought to the patient’s bedside to view. To take part in ‘Sending Love’, email [email protected] and include the patient’s name full name, first line of their home address and ward name (if known ) in the subject line.
Niamh Kelly, senior occupational therapist at the hospital was involved in rolling out this initiative. She said: "In Occupational Therapy, we understand how a sense of connection can help people with their recovery. We hope the ‘Sending Love’ initiative will be a good way for people to keep in touch with their local community during their time at Mayo University Hospital."
Catherine Donohoe, general manager added, "We know how difficult it is for patients to be in hospital without visitors. We hope that by ‘Sending Love’, family members and friends of patients will be able to brighten up someone’s day. Even though most of our patients have mobile phones to keep in contact, a letter or email printed out and delivered to the ward will always be a wonderful surprise."