PATIENTS at the John Radcliffe Hospital are able to stay in touch with loved ones despite the coronavirus pandemic thanks to a tech company's fast work.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, like trusts across the UK, has severely restricted visitors to limit the potential spread of Covid-19.

Oxford Mail:

That means thousands of seriously ill people are unable to see their family in person during their hospital stay.

On Mothering Sunday, March 22, David Walliker, Chief Digital and Partnerships Officer at OUH got in touch with Steve Killick, product manager for WiFi SPARK.

He asked the company, which specialises in guest Wifi access for large venues, to find a solution so families could stay in touch despite Covid-19 restrictions.

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Within 24 hours Mr Killick had a plan involving not only the resources of WiFi SPARK but also the services of a range of other technology suppliers to create a complete solution for the trust.

One week later the firm delivered 246 Samsung tablets that are preloaded with a platform so patients can video call friends and family.

The tablets are securely loaned to patients with a set list of apps installed to allow them to take part in video calls and access entertainment.

Oxford Mail:

John Radcliffe Hospital

The secure device can be locked to any existing food table or a bedside cabinet, with video calling via apps like Skype, Messenger, or Hangouts.

The tablets also have a link to hospital radio and access to streaming media sites such as iPlayer, Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Mr Killick said: “The best alternative to physically being with loved ones is being able to see and hear them, so video calling was a must for this solution.

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“I am fortunate to know a lot of very clever and influential people in the industry so I was able to engage people very quickly to find a workable solution for OUH."

Mr Walliker, who took on the new role at OUH in August, which was created to help ‘transform’ its use of technology to treat patients, said: “From concept on the phone with Steve Killick to spec, order, shipped and built all in six days.

"Thanks to WiFi SPARK for helping us, it’ll make a real difference to our patients.”

Matt O’Donovan, founder and chief executive of the tech firm said the team were 'delighted' to help find a solution and support the 'stellar job' of the NHS.

Mr Killick said since the tablets were sent to OUH seven more hospital trusts had contacted the company for the same solution and it would be rolled out to trusts in Liverpool and Westminster shortly with more to follow.