Amanda amazed by hardworking teams putting patients at heart of their own care

How we care for people in their own homes and keep them out of hospital was in the spotlight during a visit from NHS England’s Director for Primary Care and Community Services.

The first stop on Dr Amanda Doyle’s visit to Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT), was to the virtual wards team in Herne Bay. Amanda met Dr Shelagh O’Riordan and her team of advanced clinical practitioners who lead the virtual ward in Faversham, Canterbury, Herne Bay and Ashford.

“The team’s motto is to always put the patient first,” Shelagh told Amanda. “We always say ‘ask the patient what they want and strive to make it happen’. A patient won’t always need to go into a hospital and I am so glad we have developed this model to let the patient choose what they want.”

A virtual ward means a patient can stay in the comfort of their own home and healthcare staff are able to remotely monitor their condition. If a patient become unwell this will be picked up early and they can access treatment in hospital quickly if it is needed.

Rosemary Bishop, 95, from Faversham, was visited by Amanda and advanced care practitioners, Sharel Cole and Libby Andrews at her home as part of her treatment in a virtual ward.

She had been referred to the team for a suspected chest infection, triggered by her asthma, and was prescribed oxygen, steroids and antibiotics. Rosemary, a care home resident, was delighted to be part of the respiratory virtual ward, as it meant she could stay at home. She said: “I don’t want to go into a hospital, I’d rather be in the comfort of my own room with my friends here.”

Amanda also visited the Acute Response Team (ART), based in Margate. It is a partnership of GP doctors, advanced clinical practitioners, nurses and social care specialists, led by Dr Ash Peshen, from the local primary care network, working together to support patients across Thanet.

This team works between the local hospital, ambulance service, KCHFT and GP surgeries to help prevent a community patient from needing to be admitted into hospital, or to help support an early discharge for the patient back into their own home.

Dr Doyle said: “The innovative partnerships and pathways in Kent are a great example of integrated working and putting the patient at the heart of their own care. Although every area in the country is different, this is something that should be strived for.”