Technology is helping monitor patients in their home

A number of health services are harnessing the power of technology and using innovative methods to maintain patient contact, keep services running, and help cope with winter pressures.

One example is a remote monitoring scheme within Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s cardiorespiratory service which is allowing clinical teams to keep track of patients with chronic conditions safely and in the comfort of their own home. Technology is set up to help patients self-manage their condition at home.

Giving them support and reassurance the equipment ensures their clinical teams can act swiftly if their health deteriorates. The service has expanded the use of this technology to provide a community-based virtual ward for Covid-19 patients, to enable them to be discharged from hospital sooner and be supported in their own homes for up to 14 days.

Another innovative form of treatment is being used within the trust’s cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) service. This previously faceto-face group has moved to an online format. The virtual group sessions support education of OCD, treatment methods and strategies. Smaller groups and one-to-one discussions are also held to maximise patient engagement and individualisation of treatment.

Both the adult and children’s speech and language therapy services have also been successfully using video conferencing software. Vikas Nautiyal, an adult’s speech and language therapist, works mainly with patients who have neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

He said: “In the longer term it will be good to continue this especially for elderly patients where travelling to clinics can be difficult. ”

Avinash Hiremath, LPT medical director, said: “The use of such technology is allowing us to continue to monitor and support our patients, with the aim of reducing the risk of hospital admissions by providing health and wellbeing care in their own home.”