Elderly patients at Queen’s Hospital are enjoying entertainment tailored towards them thanks to newly introduced RITA (Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities) screens.

Patients can chose to watch a classic film they loved in their younger years, listen to their favourite music, or hear messages from their family. RITA can even help keep them active with programmes of chair exercises.

Queen’s Hospital now boasts eight of these screens, which are helping to reduce falls, ease boredom and soothe anxious patients, particularly those with dementia.

They were funded thanks to three generous donations to the King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity: £25, 000 from Asda, presented to mark NHS70, £20,000 raised by the ladies’ division of Abridge Golf Club, and £5,00 raised by Get Your Pink On, a fundraising group which meets regularly at O’Gradys Irish Pub in Seven Kings.

Jenny Petchey, dementia clinical nurse specialist, said: “We’re really excited to have these screens at Queen’s Hospital as we’ve seen how they’ve made such a positive impact for our patients on our elderly care wards at King George Hospital.

“They’re really good and everyone has been impressed by how much they can do. They even have programmes of chair exercises, so we’re hoping to encourage our patients who are able to keep active by doing that. It’s also brilliant that you can ersonalize them, so for example if a patient often becomes agitated at night, their family can record messages for them, to help reassure them.”

A special tea party, attended by the Mayor of Havering, Councollor Dilip Patel, was held on Thursday 27 September to celebrate the installation of the new screens. Patients and their families enjoyed entertainment from Elvis impersonator Nick Hart, and delicious cupcakes provided by Bridie’s Cakes.

Pictured are staff, visitors and fundraisers, including The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Dilip Patel and our interim Chief Executive, Chris Bown (front centre), at the tea party.