Strathcarron Hospice is trialling Virtual Reality equipment with its patients.
VR related equipment is being used extensively in hospice and palliative care.
With its mix of reducing anxiety and pain, it can also help many other points of care.
VR distraction therapy effectively immerses a patient (be it on safari, deep sea diving or even visiting their own garden) which tricks the brain into being present in another reality. This overwhelms the brain with information which leads to a reduction in anxiety and pain.
Following extensive research from Dr Joy Rafferty, who inspired the project, Grangemouth Rotary Club have funded VR equipment including a headset and 360 degree camera.
The Rotarians, longstanding supporters of Strathcarron, have donated £10,000 to fund the project along with two ‘computers on wheels’ to be used at the in-patient unit at the palliative care facility in Denny.
The camera will allow the hospice to create individualised content for patients who might want to see their home or garden or favourite place, but are unable to physically.
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Strathcarron Hospice provides specialist end of life care to people across Forth Valley, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. Based in Denny, the hospice now cares for more than 80 per cent of patients outside of the main hospice building, caring for people in their own homes who are living with, and dying from, a terminal illness.
Claire Kennedy, corporate fundraiser for Strathcarron, said: “This project has already allowed patients and families to create some really special memories at the very end of life.
“One lady wanted to see a Scottish island very special to her.
“Thanks to the Rotary funding this project, we were able to make it possible for the lady to achieve her goal of seeing this most special place in her heart again before she died.”
Club president Allison Meikle said: “As a club, we are delighted that the monies raised have been able to have such a positive effect for the patients at Strathcarron Hospice. We were quite emotional when informed about the difference and delight the VR and computer on wheels have made so far.”
The hospice is currently trialling this new technology with staff and patients, with the aim to roll this out as a patient service.
