Stockport NHS is using the latest monitoring technology to ensure more people can receive care in the comfort of their own home, with a community-based initiative.

The ‘Hospital at Home’ (sometimes known as virtual ward) is using new patient technology-enabled remote monitoring systems to help more patients receive the support and care they need at home, rather than having to attend or stay in hospital.

It uses the latest state-of-the-art new monitoring system from the Graphnet / Luscii technology partnership, which is planned to provide care support for over 500,000 nationally across the NHS.

The digital system allows the Hospital at Home team to gain vital information from the individual patient in order to manage their conditions. Accessed by patients via the Luscii App, it allows rapid assessment and real-time decision-making for advanced clinical practitioners and GPs who work within the service. It enables them to be in continuous contact , delivering proactive out-of-hospital care, and helping to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions/support early discharge home.  

There are many conditions which the system can help with monitoring, including care pathways for respiratory, heart failure, frailty and postnatal hypertension conditions and more.

Patients are set up with the system using an active email address or an active mobile phone telephone number. Where a patient does not have a live email account or mobile number, a family member or carer can support in this so the patient can be onboarded. 

Colleagues from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s emergency department (A&E), Primary Care colleagues, urgent community response team, and FRESH (Function, Risk, Equipment, Support Home) are working in partnership on service developments.

NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board, an early adopter of the approach, found it to be successful. Their remotely monitored patients experienced up to 50% reductions in hospital admissions and A&E attendances.

The system is planned to improve patient experience, support safe and timely discharge, and ensure those who can remain at home / return home do so as early and safely as possible.

Ros Stott, Assistant Directorate Manager for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s Urgent Neighbourhood Services Directorate said ; “Being able to monitor and support patients safely at home means they can get the care they need sooner, while avoiding unnecessary hospital stay.  The upgraded Hospital at Home system helps us do exactly that – providing timely support where it’s needed most and helping to relieve pressure on our emergency department and inpatient wards.”

 Adults registered with a Stockport GP may be eligible for Hospital at Home. Anyone interested can ask their GP or healthcare professional about a referral.