Inhealthcare to scale virtual wards across West Yorkshire

Inhealthcare has won an NHS contract to scale up virtual wards across Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield to support the delivery of safe and convenient care outside of a hospital setting.

The company will be working closely with the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and its partner organisations to roll our services for a number of clinical specialities, including respiratory, frailty, cardiology, end of life and emergency-surgery care.

Patients will be able to take physiological measurements such as blood pressure, respiration rates and oxygen saturation and transmit this data to healthcare team via their choice of communication channel: mobile app, text message or traditional telephone.

The virtual wards programme aims to reduce avoidable hospital admissions, support the earlier discharge of patients, ease pressure on inpatient beds and emergency departments and improve the overall experience for patients and their health outcomes.

Bryn Sage, chief executive of Inhealthcare, said: “Our tried and tested technology will play a crucial role in increasing access to NHS care, reducing hospital admissions, and improving patient outcomes.”

Care teams working in the region will have a single, centralised view of patient data thanks to the Inhealthcare remote care technology that will support clinical decision-making. If any patient readings fall out of a defined range, care teams will be alerted allowing them to intervene early if necessary.

Karen Jackson, chief executive of Locala Health and Wellbeing and senior responsible officer for West Yorkshire virtual wards, said: “Support for virtual wards is a priority across our partnership. It helps people remain in their own home, who would otherwise be in hospital, and receive acute care and treatment. Technology is a major factor supporting the wider health and care system to deliver a safe and efficient alternative to NHS bedded care.”

In May this year, Inhealthcare also supported the expansion of NHS Scotland’s virtual wards, and the development of new pathways.