Hard-pressed nurses in a Co Donegal hospital are using baby monitors to communicate with patients during the Covid-19 crisis.
The monitors at Letterkenny University Hospital are allowing patients and nurses to talk to each other without complete interaction.
The monitors are saving not just time but also the need for nurses and doctors changing vital scrubs every time they visit a patient.
Staff at the hospital have expressed fears over a lack of personal protection equipment including gowns and facemasks.
Local Deputy Padraig Mac Lochlainn said he has been approached to ask anybody who had such devices to get in touch.
A campaign is now underway to gather up to one hundred of the monitors.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn explained “I have received a shout out for the donation of good/ decent quality baby monitors (new or second hand) to assist the communication between doctors, nurses and patients at Letterkenny University Hospital.
“There is a crisis in terms of availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and right now, this equipment has to be disposed of or sent for deep cleansing after every interaction between patients and medical staff.
“These baby monitors will allow for ongoing communication between the patient and medical staff without this constant use of PPE.”
The Sinn Fein TD asked anybody with such monitors to get in touch with him and he will arrange for them to be collected.
