There has been more national recognition for DHU Healthcare’s Community Virtual Ward (CVW) with a second major award finalist announcement in less than a month.
Just a few weeks after being shortlisted for the Health Service Journal Patient Safety Award, the Derbyshire-based service has been named as a finalist in The Nursing Times Awards as well.
Taking its’ place in the Care of the Elderly category, this is the fourth year in a row that DHU has made an appearance as a Nursing Times finalist and the second year running for its’ CVW team.
"A year of innovation..."
Emma Wardale is Clinical Lead for the service and said: “It’s been a year of innovation for us, introducing our falls pathway last year that has looked after more than 800 patients who may otherwise have been taken to hospital. We also made five paediatric beds available in a partnership with Chesterfield Royal Hospital to open up our services to younger patients who can appropriately be cared for at home.
“Being able to provide urgent care at home, the patient is seen quickly and effectively, relieving pressure on hospitals already facing capacity challenges. It also makes more efficient use of paramedics by ensuring East Midlands Ambulance Service has more capacity to attend genuine emergencies, aligning with the NHS Long Term Plan.”
DHU’s CVW in Derbyshire was shortlisted in the Nursing Times Awards last year in the same category and the team will be hoping it’s second time lucky. But for the patients they care for, the team are already winners, enabling them to look after their own condition in a familiar environment.
"Without leaving their own front room..."
Speaking about the service, Emma added: “We can track a patient’s vital signs and health metrics by providing them with and educating them in the use of wearable devices and home-based technology. This helps us to continuously check, in the same way a hospital ward might, things like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.
“Our specialised team monitors the patient progress, adjusts treatment plans, and ensures continuous care without leaving their own front room. That familiar environment helps them to retain independence, leading to a faster recovery.
“It’s an ideal pathway for patients experiencing a flare up of a chronic condition or infection, recovering from surgery or illness or experiencing a fall. For hospitals, it is another important option that they can consider when planning a patient’s early discharge.
“A lot of the NHS Long Term Plan, including community and alternative places of care, aligns with DHU’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible, efficient, patient-friendly and collaborative with the wider health system. The Community Virtual Ward is a big part of that, and we’re excited to see where we can take it.”
The winners will be announced on Thursday 29th October at a ceremony in London.