Virtual Ward
LEM - Catherine McConologue
Contact Number - 01246 513917
Virtual Cardiology Service
The primary focus for the Cardiology Virtual Ward, will be in supporting early discharge and admission avoidance for cardiology patients. Specifically, this will include patients with atrial fibrillation, heart failure and hypertension, deemed safe to be managed at home within set guidelines. Virtual ward support can include remote monitoring using apps, technology platforms, wearables and medical devices, pulse oximetry, blood pressure cuffs.
This will be a 7-day service, primarily based at CRH but may include off site/ community working. There will be joint working with existing cardiology teams and specialist clinicians. It will sit amongst a wider virtual ward service made up of Respiratory and Frailty teams.
The service is part of the virtual ward implementation across Derbyshire and is supported by NHS England and the local ICB.
Virtual Frailty Service
Frailty Virtual Wards offer an:
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opportunity to narrow the gap between demand and capacity for secondary care beds, by providing an alternative to admission and/or early discharge
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the potential to support a frail older population at home delaying the downward trajectories observed in more advanced levels of frailty
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the development of new care models to address the needs of older, frail community dwellers (Lewis et al, 2020) and the potential to reduce emergency department (ED) presentations and hospital admissions through the provision of timely multidisciplinary care
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improved relationships with partner organisations and a more integrated team, overcoming barriers in joint working that have existed for many years
The primary focus for the Frailty Virtual Ward, will be provision of intensive multidisciplinary and coordinated services to older people with frailty, who would otherwise be in hospital, to support them to be cared for in the place they identify as home. This supports the view that patients with chronic, functional, and intractable health problems require a higher level of intervention.
Respiratory Virtual Service
'The respiratory virtual ward team review in-patients for step down care from the acute hospital ward and Emergency department. In time we hope to also offer step up care from the community.
Patients continue their monitoring and treatment at home including oxygen and nebuliser weaning in suitable patients.
