CONNECTING HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE THROUGH DIGITAL
We were delighted to hear that Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland’s (LLR) Connected Care Programme has been chosen as a finalist for a HSJ award using our technology. The category has a focus on those who have embraced digital tech to bridge the gap between health and social care.
LLR are one of the 42 integrated care systems (ICS) that have been newly formed across England to deliver both health and social care. With 70% of care homes in the UK listed as residential, they are reliant on services that are increasingly stretched.
In addition, residents with learning disabilities have significant challenges that could be avoided - the LeDeR report highted that people with learning disabilities were more likely to die younger that those without.
Medical procedures can increase anxiety levels for all of us and for some being able to rationalise that can be challenging. For those with learning disabilities, spending time in spaces that are unfamiliar and rushed can be an unpleasant experience.
LLR wanted to understand the impact that a digital remote health monitoring system such as Whzan would have in their residential care homes, especially for those with additional needs.
Last week we shared Chris’ story, a resident at a residential care home in Rutland. The video highlighted the positive impact Chris had felt in being able to take his own observations and NEWS2 scores using Whzan’s Blue Box, reducing anxiety, 999 & 111 callouts.
Many people like Chris benefited from the pilot scheme set up by LLR and highlighted in their submission. In all, over 5800 vital sign observations were recorded on the Whzan system and of those 422 were NEWS2 scores.
Carers are able to use NEWS2 as a common language when having conversations with outside support such as GPs reducing confusion and improving response. In addition, not only had there been a noticeable reduction in hospital admissions and ambulance callouts, they demonstrated savings of £600,000 in just four months.
We wish them the best of luck at the grand final in June this year. They deserve the recognition.
*Award entry and contributions to this story were put together by the wonderful Tara Marshall, These Hands Academy.