‘Lockdown’ author makes donation to NHS Western Isles to keep ‘loved ones in touch’

Multi award winning television screenwriter, novelist, and crime writer, Peter May, has praised NHS Western Isles for its new Virtual Visiting service for patients and has generously donated six iPads to the service.

Mr May is the author of ‘The Lewis Trilogy’ (which has sold over three million copies) and also the recently released novel ‘Lockdown’, an incredible crime thriller penned in 2005, that predicted a world in quarantine as a result of a global outbreak.

Mr May spent time as a patient in Western Isles Hospital many years ago, and he was delighted to be able to give something back to the local hospital.

He explained: “Having pledged the entire amount of the advance on my latest book, ‘Lockdown’, to charities, organisations and individuals on the frontline of the fight against Coronavirus, I have tried wherever possible to see that a good proportion of that money goes back to the people of the Western Isles to whom I owe so much of my success.

“I think the Virtual Visiting scheme at the NHS hospital in Stornoway is a brilliant idea, and hope that my small contribution will help keep patients and loved ones in touch. It is particularly satisfying to be able to give back to this particular hospital where I received such wonderful care during a week spent as a patient during filming for ‘Machair' in the 1990s.”

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, commented: “We would like to sincerely thank Mr May for this very generous and thoughtful donation. Our Virtual Visiting services brings patients and their families together at a time when we have unfortunately had to introduce restrictions on visiting. The feedback on the new service from patients and their families has been very positive. Mr May’s contribution is a very welcome addition to the service and will be of great benefit to those being cared for in hospital, particularly in helping to maintain their mental health and wellbeing.

Pictured: Photos of Peter May, both taken in Stornoway