Senior health leaders have praised hospital and community-based clinicians for their scheme that allowed Covid-19 patients to be able to recover at home.
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust co-created the UK’s first virtual hospital model in 2020 to prevent Watford General Hospital from becoming overwhelmed by the pandemic.
Supported by modern technology, an increasing number of people now receive expert clinical care from the comfort of their own homes via an app.
Dr Mike van der Watt, chief medical officer at the trust, said: “Our virtual hospital began by giving equipment and instructions to Covid-19 patients in their own homes to help us monitor their health.
“As time passed, we built more technology into this and created a sophisticated system that tracked results carefully, alerting us when we needed to increase the level of care.”
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He added: “We have gone from strength to strength and have expanded this model to other specialties, saving valuable NHS beds and enabling people to stay in their own homes.
“We have treated over 7,000 patients so far through the virtual hospital model. And, as well as excellent patient feedback, we have also seen great clinical outcomes.”
The virtual hospital model has since expanded to care for heart and respiratory conditions and earlier this month, NHS England chief operating officer David Sloman visited the trust to find out more.
Sir David said: “This virtual hospital model is a fantastic example of embracing innovation while providing safe and high quality care for all.
“The lives of thousands of people have been improved, and it’s a remarkable achievement between health partners in west Hertfordshire.”
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The model is set to be a useful tool as winter pressures loom.
Chief executive for Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, Dr Jane Halpin, said: “We were pleased to be able to bring together health and social care leaders to meet Sir David and discuss plans for dealing with the pressures we will face this winter.
“He heard about some really innovative partnership work, as well as finding out about the challenges we face and the support we need.
“And Sir David was able to see some of the work led by Watford FC’s Community Trust, which helps ease pressures by keeping people well, physically and mentally.”
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