TV is the best medicine

Pictured from left are THHS committee members Aruna Singh, Laurie Burdett (Patron), Kathryn Uvhagen, treasurer Trent Hancock, Mark O’Callaghan, secretary Debbie Davies, clinical nurse manager Taupō Inpatient Unit, chairwoman Lil Hancock and Rhonda Tawhai.

Taupō Hospital patients are tuning into the outside world thanks to the donation of 16 new televisions.

The Taupō Hospital and Health Society replaced the old TVs, updated the wiring and provided state-of-the -art remotes to make them easy to use.

The are integrated with the patient’s nurse call remote, so they don’t have to juggle multiple remotes. In double rooms, the remote can be used as a speaker, so patients can watch different programmes.

Society committee member Sandra Foss, who was also a nurse at Taupō Hospital for many years, says people in hospital often need to rest and watching television helps pass the time and keeps them apace with the outside world.

“It helps to relax people in their surroundings and makes hospital a bit more homely. Some in hospital don’t have family in Taupō to visit regularly. Watching television helps pass the day and is a distraction from medical treatments and surroundings.”

Health New Zealand group director operations for Lakes, Alan Wilson says the donation is greatly appreciated.

“The Taupō Hospital and Health Society has made significant contributions to Taupō Hospital and the Taupō-Tūrangi community. We are very grateful for its continued support and interest.”

In the last six years, THHS has donated funds for an echocardiogram, two chemotherapy infusion chairs, an ACC Vein 500 with charger and hands-free power stand, and artwork for the paediatric assessment and treatment rooms.

It fundraised $850,000 to help with the fit out of the redeveloped hospital inpatient unit and contributed to the Tūrangi Health Centre.

For more information about the Taupō Hospital and Health Society contact admin@thhs.org.nz