More at-home NHS care offered in attempt to reduce waiting times

The government is to announce plans to open more so-called virtual wards for patients in England, enabling some, particularly the frail and elderly, to be monitored at home by doctors using video and other technology.

There will also be an increase in the number of community teams to visit people in their homes.

The move comes amid intense pressure on the health service and a dramatic deterioration in waiting times for urgent care.

In December, the average ambulance response time for emergencies exceeded 90 minutes, five times longer than the target, while over a third of patients waited longer than four hours to be seen at A&E.

The aim of virtual wards is to support predominantly elderly patients, as well as those with respiratory conditions, in their own homes rather than hospitals.  Doctors and other health staff will review their cases each day and patients using wearable devices can report daily readings and results so they can be monitored remotely.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS England chief executive, said the plan was to build on initiatives introduced this winter.

“Boosting care in the community and treating more people at home is key to recovery” she said.  “It is better for patients and their families, as well as easing pressure on NHS services.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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