Queen’s Award-winning Torbay charity lends a helping hand to local rehabilitation care

Patients at Torbay Hospital are set to benefit from improved rehabilitation after a donation of more than £20,000 funded new hand therapy equipment.

The Torbay Hospital League of Friends has invested £20,536 in state-of-the-art technology for the hospital’s Hand Therapy Team, including five GripAble devices, five tablets and four biometrics electronic goniometers.

The equipment will be used to support patients recovering from hand and wrist injuries, as well as those living with long-term conditions such as arthritis.

Suzie Smith, Clinical Lead for the Hand Therapy Team, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this support from the League of Friends. The new GripAble devices will help our patients regain strength and movement in their hands and wrists, using interactive games and real-time feedback.

“These tools are especially valuable for people recovering from an injury or living with long-term conditions such as arthritis, enabling them to track their progress and stay motivated throughout their rehabilitation.”

The biometrics electronic goniometers will allow clinicians to more easily measure joint movement and monitor patient progress over time, particularly for those with complex hand conditions.

“Having access to this technology means we can provide more personalised care and help people achieve better outcomes,” Ms Smith added.

Martin Tucker, Chair of Torbay Hospital League of Friends, said the donation reflected the charity’s long-standing commitment to supporting patient care.

“We are proud to support the Hand Therapy Team in its work to help people recover and regain independence,” he said. “Our motto is ‘Helping to Care’, and we are thrilled that this donation will make a real difference to patients and staff at Torbay Hospital.”

The Torbay Hospital League of Friends has supported the hospital for more than 70 years and was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2012. The charity continues to fund equipment and improvements that go beyond NHS provision, with the aim of enhancing patient care and experience.