West Suffolk Hospital looks to expand virtual ward scheme
Bosses say it's helped free up 2000 nights in hospital beds since the launch
There are plans to expand a project at West Suffolk Hospital which helps free up valuable in-patient beds.
The virtual ward scheme was set up in November, to allow people to monitor their symptoms at home rather than staying in hospital.
Once referred, a patients’ vital signs are recorded and monitored in real-time at West Suffolk Hospital’s virtual ward hub through the technology provided to them.
A wearable monitoring device measures their vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels, and patients receive care through home visits and remote monitoring.
Now, the hospital says it's made a 'real difference', having cared for 218 patients across all pathways, in the process, saving approximately 2,000 bed nights in WSFT hospitals.
It's now planning to expand the scheme.
Currently, it can care for 30 people, but hospital officials are hoping to increase that up to 100 by next March.
Dr Vivian Yiu, clinical lead for the WSFT virtual ward, said: “Over the last six months, our data tells us that this model of care provision brings a range of benefits to our patients, both for their recovery and in their quality of life during this time.
"We are glad that the virtual ward has allowed us to provide better care in our communities and has been recognised as a key tool in helping us ensure we can get patients home earlier and care for all those who need us by freeing up precious hospital beds."