Staffordshire nurses wanted for ‘virtual wards’ initiative

Up to 95 nurses are needed to staff new ‘virtual wards’ in Staffordshire.

 

The NHS said the aim of the project was to deliver “hospital-equivalent care to patients” in their own home or another community setting, adding that the move would free up hospital beds and help deal with upturns in demand.

 

The service, which is due to start in January, would serve up to 470 patient who have been promised the same care as they would expect in a hospital setting.

 

Lesley Roberts, head of operations at the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said “Hospitals are not the right place for people who don’t absolutely need to be there.

 

They can quickly suffer from deconditioning and lose the ability to be independent.”

 

She added that instead, patients who did not need hospital care could be looked after on the virtual wads, cared for by NHS staff with access to “the same equipment, treatment, monitoring and consultant advice”.

 

Patients will be monitored remotely, using wearable monitors, apps and other devices.

 

The trust said they could also receive visits in their homes, which might include some treatment, discuss their conditions and receive advice through online video conferencing.

 

The scheme is looking to recruit nurses and nursing associates, along with a clinical lead, and is due to commence once it has recruited enough staff.

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of 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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