Virtual visiting service launched at Stornoway hospital

In a statement, NHS Western Isles said that since the closure of local hospitals to visitors as a measure to control the spread of coronavirus, staff had been working on a new system enabling video connections for hospital patients.

The service will initially be available for calls of 10-minutes in length seven days a week from 2-4pm to patients in Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, with a roll-out of the scheme to all sites being considered.

Nurse and AHP director/chief operating officer William Findlay said: “We recognise how difficult this time is for everyone.

“It is an even more challenging time for inpatients who are in an unfamiliar environment, at a time of considerable anxiety, and are not able to see their friends and family.

“This is why we took the decision to develop this service for our patients who do not have their own mobile phone, tablet or laptop to use, to connect with others.

Keeping in touch with those important to us is clearly beneficial in terms of patient well-being.”

To arrange a virtual visit, the relative or friend calls the Virtual Visiting Coordinator on 01851 708205, the coordinator will then agree a time with the patient and inform the visitor.

The health board explained that ‘virtual visitors’ will tell the service receptionist what ward they are visiting and their call will then be transferred to a ‘virtual waiting area’ where a member of the ward staff will accept the call and take an iPad to the patient.

Visitors will not need any special software or apps on their own device to use the service, but will require to have access to the Chrome browser (or Safari), access to the Internet or 4G, and a webcam.

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