Another NHS trust expands virtual wards to enhance patient care at home
Respiratory patients across Coventry and Warwickshire are benefitting from the implementation of NHS virtual wards, enabling them to safely and conveniently manage their conditions at home rather than in hospital.
Hospitals across the areas are using remote monitoring capabilities and equipment to virtually assess patients. For example, the service provides equipment like a mobile phone with a remote monitoring app, a thermometer, blood pressure monitor, and a non-invasive pulse oximeter reader.
The use of such technology aligns with recommendations in a report earlier this year on tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care, which outlined that the use of NHS virtual wards frees up bed capacity, facilitates easy patient recovery at home, and alleviates pressure on busy healthcare staff.
Although this report was published in the context of COVID-19, the benefits of virtual wards expand to remote monitoring of conditions, which is being seen in hospitals in various parts of the country.
Jodie Storrow, Service Manager for Respiratory Specialist Nurses at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, commented: “We are proud to be supporting the roll out of Virtual Wards across the Integrated Care System. Not only is there a unique opportunity to reduce inequalities, strengthen relationships with external partners and reduce admissions and length of stays, but it can transform the way our patients are managed and the impact this has on their quality of life.”
Patients are shown how to use the equipment and send readings, with conversations taking place between them and healthcare professionals on a daily basis. Tailored observations and follow-ups are also offered to patients, depending on their requirements.
Test results are closely monitored and action taken as and when required, meaning patients could be discharged from the virtual ward, or readmitted into hospital should their condition deteriorate. Patients have access to help and support should they need it at any time.
A new Healthwatch England study revealed that almost two-thirds of survey participants preferred taking blood pressure readings at home, as opposed to going to a GP.
Tracey Sheridan, Associate Director of Operations at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to be following NHS England guidance by monitoring patients remotely. This new way of working ensures that patients are continued to be under the care of the hospital consultant and form part of a virtual ward round where their condition and management plan is reviewed.”
The Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Virtual Ward at University Hospital, Coventry has been so well received since being launched six months ago that it was recently extended to accept community referrals.
Warwick Hospital and George Eliot in Nuneaton are now also utilising the same technology to help remotely monitor eligible respiratory patients, who meet certain criteria, as part of the process of moving towards virtual wards.
As well as offering timely, high-quality care to people in their homes, virtual wards reduce the need for avoidable hospital admissions and frees up bed capacity.
Patrick Johnson, Chief Operating Officer at George Eliot Hospital, added: “Keeping people in hospital longer than necessary can delay their recovery and in some cases lead to other complications. This new initiative aims to get people back to familiar surroundings safely where they can continue to recover with appropriate oversight from our consultants and medical teams.”
The Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System (ICS) has helped to implement the virtual wards with support from NHSX and healthcare technology expert Docobo.
Other NHS organisations throughout England are also benefitting from virtual wards. South West London Clinical Commissioning Group, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are all using this initiative to conveniently monitor patients remotely. Whether it is a space to monitor conditions, set up meetings with a care team, prescribe assistive technologies, or walk through therapy options, virtual wards are being used more frequently within the NHS.