Virtual visiting brings comfort to families

CASE STUDY 4 LIFELINES

A UNIQUE partnership of medical experts, academics, companies and charities has led to the creation of a way for families to see loved ones in intensive care without actually visiting them.

The team have shared expertise and resources to help patients and families stay connected through Life Lines, a project which provides a secure virtual-visiting solution for families whose loved ones are being treated in intensive care units during the coronavirus pandemic. It means that even though they can’t visit, family members can still be at the bedside via a tablet and secure app.

The Life Lines project was set up by critical care consultant Dr Joel Meyer, professor of critical care nursing Professor Louise Rose and Michel Paquet, who developed the aTouchAway app used in the project and is the chief executive officer of Aetonix.

Partners include King’s College London, King’s Health Partners, Aetonix, Bray Leino, Google and BT. Initial funding of £1m was provided by the True Colours Trust and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation.