LAUNCESTON Hospital recently welcomed their newest, virtual member of staff — ‘RITA’.

RITA, which stands for Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities, is an innovative, evidence-based, state-of-the-art digital therapy system which allows patients to use apps, games and other leisure activities as part of their hospital recovery.

RITA is a large touch screen with a smaller tablet version, with the unit costing £7,500. Launceston Rotary Club kindly donated £1,000 from money raised in their community shop in Launceston, and the remaining money was raised and donated to the League of Friends throughout the year.

Used primarily for elderly patients with cognitive impairments, such as dementia, the user-friendly technology is proving extremely popular with patients at Launceston Hospital and has shown to be effective in calming distressed or anxious patients. Patients, staff and visitors can use RITA to do things like watch a movie, play games, create a life story or run reminiscence sessions.

RITA helps patients to recall memories, relax in hospital and can encourage conversation and interaction. Staff have used RITA both with individual patients and in larger groups. They have enjoyed playing interactive games like bingo and pig racing. They have sung songs together and watched favourite classic movies. RITA can also be personalised with bespoke images and content in order to create a ‘life story’ collage, which is of particular help to patients with dementia.

For more information on RITA and to read more on the significant benefits to clinical outcomes that she will bring to patients in Launceston, visit myimprovementnetwork.com.

A spokesperson from Launceston Hospital said: “Both the staff and the patients are delighted with what RITA has brought to Launceston and we are extremely grateful to the League of Friends and the Rotary Club for the generous gift.”