Virtual wards at Heart of Kent hospice in Aylesbury
by Angela Cole
acole@thekmgroup.co.uk
Hospice patients don’t need a large house to have a ward’s
nursing staff on hand at home, thanks to innovative new
technology.
The Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford is the first in the UK to
develop the ‘virtual ward,’ a video link allowing patients and
carers to use a touchscreen to have a consultation with staff from
their homes.
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt visited on Thursdayto see first
hand how the technology means patients and their families get
specialist support around the clock, without needing to be admitted
to the ward.
Launched with a £15,800 grant from The Rank Foundation charity,
nursing staff connect directly to a patient’s home for a
confidential discussion via a secure internet video link.
Patients are given a
helping hand at the hospice. Library picture.
Patient Susan Young, from Snodland, used the system from the
comfort of her home before she had to be admitted to the hospice.
She said: “This isn’t a replacement for face-to-face care, it’s an
addition.
“If I’m home alone I can press the button for the virtual ward
and speak to a nurse. It’s very reassuring to speak to a doctor or
nurse face-to-face, rather than on the telephone.
“They have access to all my medical notes, which means I don’t
have to go through my condition again. I think it’s a brilliant
idea.”
Medical director Bruce Pollington, who devised the system, said:
“I believe the virtual ward has enormous potential to support
patients and families through end of life and long-term care
conditions.”
At a later stage the hospice hopes to use the technology to
offer a monitoring service, particularly at night to give carers a
break.
Mr Hunt added: “Many people with a long term condition will want
to stay at home for as long as possible.
“The technology I saw in action is making that a reality for
many patients. It is by embracing this kind of technology that we
can make a real difference to people when they need it most.”
18/01/13
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