Keeping people safe at home: ‘Excellent’ remote patient monitoring pilot extended after positive results
An NHS project, which aims to keep people with complex health conditions safe and well at home, is being extended following a successful trial period and positive feedback from patients.
East Kent Health and Care Partnership will be extending a home-monitoring pilot for people living with frailty and complex needs, after positive feedback from patients during the first phase. The programme will now include some patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Patients on the scheme are provided with tablets, which connect to a remote monitoring clinical hub. The patient can enter their daily observations at home, such as blood pressure and oxygen levels and any alerts are picked up by the clinical team off site, which can provide follow-up care if needed.
Five GP practices have been involved in the project. Patients identified as being suitable for the scheme are contacted by their practice and asked if they would be interested in taking part in the programme.
Sarah Phillips, Chief Medical Officer at KCHFT and senior lead for the remote monitoring pilot, said: “Feedback has been great so far. We are really proud of the outcomes and the amazing patient comments we have received. Patients have reported a reduction in anxiety levels and that they feel more in control of their own health, while being fully supported by clinicians.”
One patient who used the scheme commented: “I have had excellent support from the Digital Health Team working in the remote monitoring hub. I have found the equipment to be very easy and straightforward to use. On an occasion when there was a problem with oxygen readings, I received a call from my GP within half an hour of submitting the reading.
“I’m really pleased to have been invited to be part of the service – it has made a significant improvement to day-to-day life.”
The pilot, which started in May 2024, involves Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT), east Kent primary care networks and East Berkshire Primary Care. The digital systems are provided through a collaboration between Graphnet and Docobo.
