Children at a Norfolk hospital can now be monitored at home rather than need to stay in hospital.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn is using monitoring their temperature, heart rate, breathing and oxygen rates using the latest technology in a scheme known as a virtual ward.
“I am really grateful and felt well looked after” was the sentiment from local mum Amy, whose little boy was the first to use the specialist equipment there.
Joanne Attridge, children’s community advanced clinical practitioner at The QEH, said: “The new virtual ward, which designed is specifically for the needs of children, is a safe way of getting a patient home to a familiar setting with their family, where we know that they recover faster.
“This is much better for the children, it means they can rest in their own environment, but we are able to virtually monitor all of the key things we would if they were in hospital so we can make sure they are recovering as they should be.”
Robson’s story
In May five-year-old Robson Dow, from Tilney St Lawrence, was the first patient to be admitted to the Trust’s children’s virtual ward.
Robson had a high temperature and was struggling to breathe when he came to the Emergency Department.
He stayed on the children’s ward for one night whilst staff looked after him before going home with mum and dad the next day with all the monitoring equipment.
Robson’s virtual ward kit including a phone, thermometer, stethoscopes that are able to record sound, a simple finger clip to monitor oxygen levels, and the phone number of the ward should there be any concerns at all.
Robson’s mum, Amy Withers, said: “It was great to be able to come home rather than stay in hospital. It meant Robson was able to be with both me and my partner and was much happier in his own surroundings.
“When I was given the clever piece of kit it was well explained to me. I was surprised by how easy it was to use. I knew there was support there for me if I needed it but I felt peace of mind knowing I could do the checks myself and had someone to call.
“We were checking his heart rate, oxygen levels, using the stethoscope and thermometer, all of which was very straight forward and easy to use. At home Robson could get more rest and I have no doubt that he felt better sooner by being at home.
“Thank you to the team at the hospital. I am really grateful and felt well looked after. I didn’t feel on my own as had regular contact with the hospital and Joanne even came and saw Robson at home as well to make sure everything was okay.”
As of 31 July, 11 children have made use of the new virtual ward service, freeing up space for children and young people who need to be in hospital.
