Communication aid tech 'opens doors' for patients

Jenny Boucher works with patients who may have Parkinson's, motor neurone disease (MND), autism and cerebral palsy

A clinician who works with people living with conditions such as motor neurone disease (MND) and autism to communicate via technology said the kit had "opened up doors" for patients.

Jenny Boucher, 49, from Essex, works at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge as part of the communication aid service East of England (CASEE) team working with patients whose speech is impaired.

In her work she has helped create templates so patients can read books with their loved ones and record themselves reading a book before they lose their voice.

She said: "It opens up doors they thought would be closed forever."

The 49-year-old works across the whole of the East of England to help patients who require a power communication device for people who "no longer have the power to speak".

She said this may include people with MND, autism, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's or people who have been left with brain damage from road traffic accidents.

"It opens up doors they thought would be closed forever. It's lovely to see, its rewarding... if we can just put something really good in place it makes a big difference," she said.

With the technology she has been able to programme the devices to read books and record a person's voice before their condition develops.

She said the device could help children feel less daunted when interacting with a family member who may now use a wheelchair or ventilator, and help bring back a sense of "normality".

"The bond can be refreshed because sometimes they don't get a chance to see there little ones for a while... it's nice to try and bring back that bond."

'Fabulous job'

Ms Boucher was awarded a staff You Made a Difference Award by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The honour aims to recognises members of staff or teams who have made a difference to patients, visitors and colleagues.

While Ms Boucher had seen other people win these awards she said "it was very overwhelming" to receive the award herself and she was "absolutely thrilled".

"I don't do this singlehandedly.

"Yes, this award was for me but I am part of the CASEE team. We all do such a fabulous job and I couldn't do it without working for them."