Newcastle Hospitals Charity is proud to support and fund the latest innovations and technology at Newcastle Hospitals. By supporting us this Giving Tuesday, you’ll be helping us to fund technology like the Colourflash Paddle, a recent addition to the Great North Children’s Hospital:
James Blake, a Clinical Scientist who helps many hospital services with clinical measurement and diagnoses, explains the impact of the Colourflash below:
“Our tests help with diagnosis and management of a wide range of vision disease, but they rely heavily on patient cooperation. The tests use a stimulus, often flashing lights, which patients are asked to watch. The equipment we used for children required the patient to sit with their chin on a fixed rest and stare forward. This was a challenge for most children under 5 years and sadly, children (and some adults) were reluctant or unable to perform the tests.
The support of Newcastle Hospitals Charity allowed us to buy the Diagnosys ColorFlash, to help solve this problem.
Above: Leon tries out the Colourflash Paddle
The ColorFlash has greatly improved the experiences of our patients, parents and carers. We can now easily adapt to the patient’s needs and move freely with the handheld paddle. If the patient is more comfortable in a pram, pushchair or even crawling around the floor – we can do that!
We’re extremely grateful for the support of Newcastle Hospitals Charity. Our patients and their parents and carers are more relaxed, and consequently so are our staff.
James Blake Clinical Scientist
To encourage the children to engage with the flashing stimulus, the ColorFlash can create a variety of interactive noises, including a bell, ducks quacking, cows mooing, dogs barking and cats meowing. This makes the testing fun, quicker and easier.
More importantly, it is inclusive for children who have severe visual impairment, allowing them to listen and enjoy the noises. The quality of our tests has been improved, children are largely excited and engaged with the noises and flashes, so less likely to become upset or frustrated. Therefore, the results are easier to interpret and therefore more reliable.
We’re extremely grateful for the support of Newcastle Hospitals Charity. Our patients and their parents and carers are more relaxed, and consequently so are our staff – we don’t need to attempt to sing anymore!”
#GivingTuesday is a day where everyone, everywhere can do something to support the good causes that mean so much to them. You can donate to Newcastle Hospitals Charity here, spread the word by liking and sharing posts on our social media channels, sign up for the 2022 Great North Run, or leave a Festive Message for Newcastle Hospitals Staff.
