Thousands benefit from internationally recommended COVID remote monitoring scheme

COVID Oximetry @home services have proved vital during the pandemic by providing pulse oximeters to high risk COVID patients so they can monitor their condition at home. The services, available across England, have acted as an early warning system for spotting signs of deterioration, as has the related COVID ‘virtual ward’ scheme which supports people to recover at home after admission to hospital.

UCLPartners has been working closely with services in our region to roll out both services.

Dr Sarah Armstrong, GP and Clinical Advisor for UCLPartners said: “Every patient that I put on the COVID Oximetry @Home pathway liked it. I didn’t have one negative response. For the majority of my patients, they liked it because it gave them support and reassurance whilst being able to remain at home.”

Julia is one of many who says her life has been saved by this initiative. She was discharged to the trust’s virtual ward after being treated at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. She said: “I believe I owe my life to James Cook and in particular, the role the virtual ward played in looking after me. I could never thank them enough”

The learning is now being incorporated into the design of other care pathways as part of the NHS @home programme.

Find out more about this work in the UCLPartners region.

For information on the national scheme visit the NHS England and NHS Improvement website, or read this blog from National Clinical Director for Infection, Antimicrobial Resistance & Deterioration Dr Matt Inada Kim.