Has anyone else any experience of the virtual ward service. After an emergency admission last week I was diagnosed with AF and frailty and offered this. At first I thought it would be all hi-tech stuff which I couldn't handle but after two nights with still no ward bed available I was allowed home under the care of the Rapid React team. They called at my house daily, took my obs and answered any questions as well as monitoring my new medication. I was then provided with the correct medical equipment and a phone with an app to send my own readings to something called Docobo. Being a technophobe I was a bit concerned but have managed to send mainly correct readings and they call me back each morning to discuss obs and medication. The Rapid React team based at my local hospital is available in any emergency. Fingers crossed, they won't be needed.
Virtual Wards.: Has anyone else any... - Lung Conditions C...
Virtual Wards.
I have no personal experience but one of my carers had a virtual ward when her husband was severely ill with covid two years ago. He is asthmatic so they didn't want to admit him to hospital. She said the service was wonderful and enabled her to cope with caring for him at home.
That all sounds very interesting and is something I think is a good idea. Pete would like that I’m sure. It sounds as if you’re being well supported. Pete and I have AF so can empathise.
Wishing you well. Take care xxx
Our local Breathe Easy group was involved with consultations about leaflets explaining how the local health service would introduce and operate virtual wards. (I wasnt really involved.)
Luckily Ive not needed this but following two serious admissions in 2018 I was sent home each time after two weeks on IV meds to be cared for by the Hospital at Home team. They would call in each day to replace the IV meds, a daily amount of which were contained in a kind of clear plastic bomb shaped thing which I had to wear and which continued to drip the meds into my veins. The team was fantastic, did all the obs etc and discharged me after a week. If the virtual wards teams are half as good, they will be brilliant.
I’ve used a virtual ward twice recently and liked it a lot. Wearing the tech all night gives you confidence they’re monitoring you and will call or visit if something is awry. There’s also some kind of continuing care - so a few days after being signed off the virtual ward I went to A&E (I’m struggling with new asthma meds) but they called the virtual ward - seeing it in my notes - and I was seen by medics outside A&E without a wait
No experience of that, but fingers crossed for you 🙂
Hello Tykelady,
Sorry are unwell enough to need this level of care at home and thank you for your feedback about your experience.
I had Rapid Reponse care for me for 2 weeks at home a few years ago. They called twice a day and I was very grateful for their care whilst I waited for an outpatient appointment.
Virtual Wards are going to be the way forward and seems from what you say that the technology is manageable for us to use.
I hope you are feeling more comfortable now.
Go well.
Pauline
Wow that sounds preferable
Hi, Tykelady, I was on a virtual ward for two weeks, then I caught covid. They were very helpful and kept an eye on all my vitals twice a day, I felt very safe with them, they would also ring to make sure I was OK.
It sounds interesting Tykelady. Wishing you well x
Well this sounds very interesting and am sure it will help the hospitals and patients no end. I think as Pauline HM says it is the way forward. Hope things have settled for you x
Hello Tykelady, I hope you are feeling better, or soon do 🙂 Virtual wards sound brilliant to me, people are supposed to get better more quickly in their own home than in hospital. If they run as efficiently as everybody has described then it's surely a winner! xx
I had pneumonia last December and they were considering this for me. It sounded a lot better than being admitted to hospital. In the end they decided to allow me home with a direct dial no and they called me to check I was okay. I’d take this rather than being admitted. I hope you make a speedy recovery.
Hi I have COPD and AF and was put on a virtual ward when I contracted covid. I had a form divered to fill in obs together with a gizmo you put on your finger to check oxygen levels. I had a phone number to contact if symptoms got worse. A practitioner contacted me every other day for progress reports. I was also contacted by the pulminary physio for my area who kept in contact for several weeks after I recovered from Covid and recommended Nacsys to relieve mucus in my lungs. I found her input very helpful more so than my regular COPD practitioner.
Does this not confirm that we need more hospitals and also different hospitals that they can look after people in that they are fit or nearly fit to go home . Surely this will stop the bed blocking. They said 100 people in a hospital that could go home but for some reason or other can’t. When we had Covid they turned places into a place where people could go. Why can’t they use these places. At least it will make more room for people who really need to be there.
This comes down to several things. First many used to leave hospital for a cottage one until they were 100% ready to return home. Many of these as in my area were closed. I believe it was to save money?
Second care homes are sometimes being used but some of these have closed down so there is a shortage of space. I have heard there is also the lack of staff since many of them were Eastern European and since leaving the EU many have returned home.
Third since councils are continually having their subsidies cut (37% in real terms since 2010), They are suffering from a shortage of social workers and others who provide essential services and need to arrange a care package first before those who need it can be allowed home. There is a lack of places where they can go now while they are waiting for it.
This all results in delays hence bed blockers.
Completely agree, hypercat54.
Makes complete sense but answer lies in severe lack of staffing. A bit akin to putting GP responsibilities onto pharmacists which might be OK if in addition to GP access, but certainly not if instead of. 😔
A fair comment Bronwen and i did expect my time on the virtual ward to be a bit longer before discharge to my GP surgery which can be hit or miss.
lack of staff lack of space. When I was in hospital not very long ago, they had doubled up a single room which was where they put me. Nobody wants to be a nurse or a Dr any more. It doesn’t hold the same kind of charm any more. When I was young boys wanted to be firemen or police men. As a girl I wanted to be a nurse or go to art school. I wasn’t allowed to do either. I had to go and work in a factory as my Sisters did.
I think that's a sensible service but it's no replacement for full hospital care when that's what's needed. Best wishes.
I don't like the way healthcare is heading!
Me neither - I haven't been able to see a GP for three years - they just send meds, inhalers and steroids to the chemist based on an online form or a telephone call (audio only). Asthma nurse rings me for my "asthma check" - all done on the landline phone. What a joke. I have been diagnosed with asthma over the phone 3 years ago - no doctor has ever seen me in person. it's just rubbish. The drive in the NHS seems to be to keep patients away from medical staff unless absolutely essential, and to bring in private companies and contractors left, right and centre.
Yep, it's basically dishing out meds....
I had a call this morning saying that since the new medication is working, based on the readings I have supplied, I have now been discharged from RLI and back to the care of my surgery. They can refer me back to the Rapid React team if necessary. Thanks for all the input. I can see both sides of the system and the pros and cons for each.
Wow... I'd quite happily stay at home if they can deliver food too 😁
It sounds excellent but no mention of this in the rural area of Norfolk where I live. Obviously yet another post code lottery. Perhaps those posting could also say where from.
I hope you're soon feeling better. Virtual wards sound a good idea in some circumstances. xxx
So pleased to hear the treatment is working for you. Onward and upward now to full recovery, I hope! Xx Moy
I only read about this today . this was for liverpool area and sound s a brilliant idea. maybe this is part of what the NHS needs to adopt more to spare bed space
. needs more investigation.
My hospital experience
Just diagnosed
IRRITATING! (and Stressful)
Frustrated! Uncommon disease and lack of understanding at hospital when having exacerbation of condition
Why Dont they have Decaff Coffee on Respiratory Wards? 
