World first for Derby Hospitals to improve lives of disabled children
A new innovation pioneered in Derby – believed to be the first of its kind in the world – is set to transform the lives of young patients with conditions such as cerebral palsy.
Ten years ago, Jan Nicholson, Occupational Therapist at Derby Hospitals came up with the idea of creating a device to help children with physical disabilities to read a book by themselves.
And now, 10 years on, not only has Jan’s dream has become a reality – but last week the Trust was told the mechanical page turner has been patented.
A team of graduates from Rolls-Royce in Derby helped with the initial designs. The challenge was then taken on by Mike Banks, a retired engineer from Rolls-Royce and member of the charity Remap, which helps make aids for disabled people. Mike used his skills and ingenuity to make the first working prototype of the page turner.
Cerebral Palsy patient Thomas Riley, aged 7, from Alfreton, was the first patient to trial the device three years ago. His mum Jo said it has had a significant impact on his quality of life and independence.
She said: “The page turner has given Thomas total independence. He is extremely intelligent and now has the reading age of a 10-year-old. It has given him his independence to read and any independence for Thomas is a real gift.”
Thomas will be presented with a page turner on Wednesday which means he will be able to use the device at home in future. To date, he has been using the page turner in nursery at the City Hospital’s the Ronnie Mackeith Child Development Centre.
Jo added: “This means he can now use it at home and at Leys Junior School. Thomas is now able to do his own thing and feel like any other pupil.”
Jan Nicholson, OT at the Ronnie Mackeith Child Development Centre, said: “The whole focus of my job as an occupational therapist for disabled children is to find ways for them to participate in everyday activities of their peers. As an avid reader of absolutely anything myself seeing children sitting waiting for someone to open a book and turn pages for them is extremely sad.
“Machines to turn pages for adult books and newspapers were available but cost thousands of pounds and were not designed for children’s books or a classroom setting.
“The page turner is primarily aimed at the young child just starting to read. Once set up it allows them to read or look at a book by themselves and at their own pace. It holds A4 and A5 sized books up to 100 pages thick which covers the majority of reading materials found in schools. It can be adjusted to a variety of reading angles and is operated by the press of a switch. It is small enough to fit on a wheelchair tray and to carry in a bag similar to those used for laptop computers. This equipment will make a real difference to the quality of lives for many young patients with disabilities.
“This latest invention demonstrates Derby Hospitals is very much leading the way when it comes to innovation, creativity and inventions which have the potential to improve the lives of patients here in Derby and further afield.”
For Further Information Please Contact:
Laura Skaife
Senior Communications Manager
Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
T: 01332 786 947
M: 07799 337 677
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