On the virtual ward

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Summary of report content

Healthwatch Suffolk undertook an independent evaluation of the virtual ward service at West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to better understand the experience of family carers and relatives supporting patients to use the service.  They undertook a survey, interviews and case studies.  They spoke to 42 people.

The benefits of a virtual ward for family carers and relatives were:

  • The tech being easy to use
  • Staff providing good instruction
  • Carers feeling well supported
  • Positive staff attitude
  • People felt involved in the care provided
  • Receiving care at home had aided patient recovery
  • Patients were well monitored
  • They didn't need to travel to to the hospital.

Challenges of a virtual ward for family carers and relatives were:

  • Awareness is low
  • Involvement at admission
  • One way flexibility
  • Urgent situations weren't dealt with any differently
  • The additional responsibility of the virtual ward could be challenging, depending on people’s circumstances.

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General details

Local Healthwatch
Healthwatch Suffolk
Publication date
Date evidence capture began
Date evidence capture finished
Key themes
Access to services
Caring, kindness, respect and dignity
Communication with patients; treatment explanation; verbal advice
Consent, choice, user involvement and being listened to
Integration of services and communication between professionals
Lifestyle and wellbeing; wider determinants of health
Parking and transport
Remote appointments and digital services
Service organisation, delivery, change and closure
Staffing - levels and training

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken in partnership with another organisation?
No
Primary research method used
Interviews
Survey
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced?
N/A

Details of health and care services included in the report

Details of health and care services included in the report
Hospital services- not stated

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views
42
Does this report feature carers?
Yes
Seldom heard groups
People who are geographically isolated
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