South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has teamed up with furbd, a programme run by Middlesbrough charity the Hope Foundation, to provide maternity patients with improved access to their digital maternity records.
Grace Murray, lead digital midwife for South Tees Hospitals, started collaborating with furbd in April 2023, registering as a drop-off point and main contact for digital donations following the launch of their maternity electronic patient record, BadgerNet.
Ms Murray said: “Many of us will already be clearing out our cupboards ready to feel refreshed for the year ahead and so I am asking everyone to check to see if they have any unwanted devices that can be donated for this amazing cause.
“It is absolutely vital that our maternity patients have access to a mobile phone so they can access the support they need through every stage of their pregnancy, however, unfortunately, Middlesbrough is one of the most deprived areas in the UK, ultimately leading to digital poverty and exclusion.
“Therefore, by working together with furbd, we can help to give more maternity patients across our region better access to their records and help them to access whatever they need at the click of a button.”
The trust is inviting people to drop in at two digital donation events, scheduled for January 15, in the atrium at The James Cook University Hospital and the café hub at the Friarage.
Attendees can donate unwanted mobile phones, tablets or games consoles from 9am to 4pm.
The Hope Foundation’s furbd programme will carefully refurbish each donated device and the digital inclusion teams at South Tees Hospitals will redistribute them to maternity patients facing digital exclusion.
This will enable these individuals and their families to stay in touch with midwives, call recommended advice lines, access their personal maternity records, and download NHS advice and support leaflets throughout their pregnancy.
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David Thomas, business development manager for furbd, said: “We are looking for any old devices that you might have lying around, from an old smartphone to unused tablets or games consoles that can be redistributed to community groups and families for valuable social interaction.
“Even if the devices aren’t in a good condition, please don’t hesitate to bring them along because we often find that we can use parts from one device to refurbish another.”
Anyone unable to attend the events but wishing to make a donation can email Grace Murray at grace.murray@nhs.net to arrange a suitable drop-off time.