Yorkshire-based tech company Inhealthcare – along with Leeds Children’s Hospital Haematology and Oncology Team and other clinical staff from Leeds Teaching Hospitals – have won the HSJ Independent Provider of the Year Award! The award recognises the collaborative development of virtual wards and their contribution to reducing hospital bed days across Leeds and West Yorkshire.
This marks the second HSJ award this year recognising virtual wards at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – a reflection of the scale and impact of the service.
Inhealthcare have worked with clinicians to develop the mobile phone app which supports the Haematology and Oncology virtual ward at Leeds Children’s Hospital. Members of the team joined the Inhealthcare partners at the HSJ awards ceremony, hosted by Rob Brydon, in London last week.
Inhealthcare commented:
‘This award highlights what is possible when digital pathways are built with strong clinical leadership, robust governance and the flexibility to adapt to local needs. Leeds now has one of the most advanced and comprehensive virtual ward programmes in the country and continues to serve as a blueprint for other NHS organisations looking to scale similar models.’
To date, the Haematology and Oncology Virtual Ward at Leeds Children’s Hospital has seen 227 admissions, saving 476 hospital bed days, allowing children and young people to be cared for at home.
Once admitted to the virtual ward, parents and carers use the mobile phone app which prompts them to complete checks and observations which are relayed to the medical team in the hospital who monitor patients virtually. Patients at home tend to eat and sleep better as well as feeling more relaxed and comfortable which in turn, improves their experience and can speed up recovery.
Leeds Children’s Hospital Interim Clinical Director and Consultant Paediatric Oncologist Dr. Susan Picton said:
‘The app has received really positive feedback from parents and carers and the benefits for patients are amazing. We see that patients are better rested, eating better and enjoying better mental health because they’re spending more time at home. Families are less stretched by being split across home and hospital, siblings can be together and there is less of a financial burden on families. This recognition is truly deserved and we look forward to continuing to develop our virtual wards working with Inhealthcare’
Congratulations to all Leeds Teaching Hospital colleagues involved in virtual wards and our partners at Inhealthcare on this fantastic recognition.