Due to the clinical pressures and demand on bed capacity of acute trusts, HHFT has set up virtual wards to enable early supported discharges via a virtual remote monitoring service for patients who could be clinically managed at home.
Virtual wards are an Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) supported the initiative, with primary care, HHFT, CCG and community colleagues all working together to support our patients to get the best integrated care possible.
The Orthogeriatric Virtual Ward service is led by the Telemedicine team 7 days a week, from 08:00-18:00 with the support from senior clinical decision-makers.
During this pilot stage, the service will only accept referrals from the orthogeriatric teams across both sites for patients who have received treatment for a fractured neck of femur. Referral to the service is made via an e-purple ‘Orthogeriatric Virtual Ward’ on EPR.
The enhanced monitoring offered by the Orthogeriatric Virtual Ward should provide confidence to discharging clinicians and patients that they will be safely ‘cared for’ virtually during the ‘step down’ process.
On discharge from their inpatient ward, patients must be given the Orthogeriatric Virtual Ward information leaflet.
Patients should have their discharge letter in the usual way when they leave the hospital, and the Telemedicine team will ensure ongoing communications with primary care once the patient is on the virtual ward. Should there be any concerns whilst the patient is on the virtual ward, the Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU) Team or the Urgent Community Response (UCR) have agreed to support if there is no medical emergency.
For more information on who can be referred and how can be found in the SOP under the Useful links section on the right-hand side of this page, or you can contact the Telemedicine team on 01962 824067.
