The Virtual Wards workstream has supported the delivery of 289 remote consultations , thereby avoiding 51 appointment attendances ( including GP and A & E visits and acute admissions ) after we identified products that could help manage the care of patients in their own homes . Ellen Barnes talks about the technologies we have been working with .

In Harrogate , an 11-year-old respiratory patient with chronic asthma had regular face-to-face outpatient appointments and frequent A & E admissions . When the child ’ s mother had a medical procedure and was therefore unable to take her child to clinic , they were given a TytoCare handheld remote monitoring device that allowed them to record the child ’ s condition at home . It was able to detect early signs of exacerbation which were flagged to a respiratory nurse who could provide timely care and advice remotely , avoiding the need for another A & E admission for the patient .

Impact of our Virtual Wards pilots

GP and A & E visits