There is probably not a nurse, wardsperson, cleaner or doctor in any hospital in Australia, who hasn’t been asked if they have a phone charger.
When you find yourself in a hospital, most of us have rushed out the door with our phones in our hands, and without the charger.
Two local registered nurses, Andrew and Annie, aim to help patients stay in touch with family, friends and support services.
‘Too often, patients find themselves isolated and alone in hospital, with no way to charge their phone,’ says Andrew.
‘We get asked by patients for a charger at least once or twice a week,’ says Annie.
‘So, you repeat that with every nurse in the country, and that’s thousands of times a day.’
‘Most of us know the feeling of having a phone going flat, and having no charger available, but for patients who are scared, vulnerable and isolated this feeling is more than a concern, it causes real anxiety and fear,’ says Andrew.
‘Many patients are even more isolated now owing to hospital visitor restrictions, and state and international border closures.’
Ease stress
To help ease the stress of patients who need a charge, and ward staff who also need to keep their phones charged through the extra-long shifts, the pair have started a charity called Recharging for Health.
The aim is to supply free charging plugs and cables to any hospital or care facility so that they can help patients stay in touch.
Any care facility can ask for a recharge pack, which includes two wall chargers, each with a multi-plug attachment that will fit most phones, and easy instructions.
The packs, which are free to care facilities, will cost between $50 and $60, and donations to help cover costs can be made at the Recharging for Health website.
‘We hope that we can get a phone charger to every ward and care facility that needs one,’ says Annie.
‘The simple act of providing one can keep patients connected.’
To find out how you can order a pack for your care facility or ward, or how to donate, visit www.rechargingforhealth.org.au.
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