Livewire launched at Princess Margaret Hospital
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
The Starlight Children’s Foundation and Optus yesterday announced the roll out of the Livewire Hospital Program in Western Australia at Princess Margaret Hospital in Subiaco.Being a teenager can be tough at the best of times, but having to spend prolonged or frequent visits in hospital can make adolescent years especially difficult.
The Livewire Hospital Program aims to support those young patients aged between 10 and 21 at Princess Margaret Hospital who are regularly in and out of hospital by caring for their social and emotional wellbeing.
Through the Livewire program patients are able to access a secure online community via netbooks at their bedside which enables them to watch videos, listen to music, create blogs, play games, and most importantly engage in online chats with other patients.
Local Federal Member Julie Bishop officially launched the Livewire Hospital Program noting that Livewire not only keeps patients entertained and amused but also prevents them from feeling alone through daunting periods in hospital.
“There is an overwhelming sense of isolation when you are undergoing treatment and away from school and your friends, and it can be a pretty lonely and often boring time,” Ms Bishop said.
“If young people can be connected and engaged with their friends they are more likely to be able to face debilitating illness or periods of treatment.
“Livewire is a wonderful step forward in the use of online technology and I applaud the work of Princess Margaret Hospital, the Starlight Children’s Foundation and Optus in delivering this initiative.”
Through the support of Optus, Livewire is delivered to patients at Princess Margaret Hospital and also the Joondalup Health Campus via wireless internet and netbooks.
Patients at Princess Margaret Hospital are able to access Livewire at the Starlight Children’s Foundation’s Club Ado – a dedicated space providing young patients exclusive access to a games room, cafe, arts area, media studio and lounge – in the Starlight Express Room or from their bedside.
