News

WHC shortlisted for Patient Safety Awards 2021

Wiltshire’s Virtual Wards for Care Homes has been shortlisted for the Patient Safety Awards 2021 in the category of Improving Care for Older People Initiative of the Year. This is great news and highlights what can be achieved through effective partnership working across the system and taking a multi-disciplinary approach.

With clinical staff and care home staff working together, Virtual Wards support care homes more effectively, optimise the health of residents, and provide much needed reassurance for carers and families.

Working with Wiltshire Council, Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Primary Care and Wiltshire Care Home Advisory Group, enables us to deliver virtual multi-disciplinary clinics to review care home residents and solve complex challenges. This can prevent avoidable illness by intervening early before a condition has escalated and minimises the need for external appointments which are inherently risky and distressing for frail patients.

67% of participating residents have shown improved health and well-being. Families and staff gain considerable reassurance and confidence in the care being delivered, and these factors combine to reduce pressure on the healthcare system.

The WHC Transformation Team will present our entry to the judging panel at the beginning of August and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in September.

Thank you to everyone involved including our partners and community teams; Drs Chris Dyer and Tomas Welsh (geriatricians), Debbie Wiltshire and Linda Dawes of Longbridge Deverill Nursing Home, Jo Howes of Wiltshire Care Partnership, and Dr Lisa Hirst and Victoria Radford of Avenue Surgery.

We’ll keep you posted, but congratulations and good luck to all involved!