MONMOUTHSHIRE Freemasons have donated a number of iPads to the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board for patients to contact family and friends during the pandemic.

The freemasons were greatly moved by the plight of patients in hospital who due to the restrictions of the coronavirus are unable to receive visits from family and friends.

They immediately contacted the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to ask how they could help. They bought 11 iPads to help provide a vital communication link for patients to home.

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Due to lockdown, obtaining the iPads, however, was quite a challenge as all Apple Stores were closed. But an email to Apple head office put the Freemasons in touch with the manager from the Cardiff Store who fast tracked the order to ensure the health board could receive the iPads as quickly as possible.

Chris Evans, from Monmouthshire Freemasons, said: “Being in hospital can be difficult for people at the best of times and not having the comfort of regular visitors and contact with loved ones must be very isolating and distressing. We are pleased that technology can provide a vital communication in the most difficult of circumstances. I am also extremely proud of how Monmouthshire Freemasons are responding to the Covid-19 crisis and making a difference to patients and their families during this most difficult time.”

Tanya Strange, associate director of nursing at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: “I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Monmouthshire Freemasons for their very kind, and extremely generous donations of iPads.

"The physical and mental wellbeing of our patients is paramount, and there is no doubt that the cessation of visiting has had a psychological impact on our patients. The donations of the iPads has provided an avenue to open up communication once again for the patients, and families are reassured by the ability to see their relatives. These donations will (and are) making such a difference.”