Healthcare service provides “longer and better care”

The 'Virtual Ward' is run by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and is one of a number of schemes which have been combined under RDaSH's HomeFirst service to help deliver improved care for patients.

RDaSH chief executive Toby Lewis said: “By bringing the services together we are able to offer a better, more streamlined service to Doncaster patients needing support or help in their own homes.

“They may otherwise have had to spend time in hospital but the Virtual Ward means they can be looked after by our specialist nurses and clinicians at home.”

One Doncaster resident who has benefited is 90-year-old Mavis Cokeham who received care via the Virtual Ward after feeling ill and tests showed she had heart failure.

“Staying at home definitely helped me to get better more quickly,” she said.

“My family could come around when they wanted, they aren’t just sat by a hospital bed.

“It also gave me peace of mind and I would not have been as settled in hospital.”

“The nurses have been brilliant and lovely,” she added.

“They are friendly and efficient.

“They have told me so much about my illness and my body.

“If anyone is offered Virtual Ward my advice would be to ‘go for it.”

Daughter Vivienne Squire said: “The staff who came to see mum were excellent.

“I feel she got longer and better care than if she was on a ward.

“Mum was more comfortable at home and the family were happier as we could see her all the time.

“Virtual Ward made it easier for the family as well as for mum.”

Around 35,000 patients use RDaSH's community services in Doncaster – including HomeFirst – and all are focused around seeing them in either clinics or at home.

Other services that have been brought under the HomeFirst banner include the Enhanced Care Home Team and the Therapy Hub.