Tele-health improving quality of life
New figures released by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust show that its telephonic health services in Bassetlaw are making big improvements to patients’ quality of life. They have also contributed to saving the NHS money through less people attending accident and emergency and being admitted to hospital.
There are three strands to the services – care navigation, health coaching and tele-health vital sign monitoring – all of which are funded by the Bassetlaw Clinical Commissioning Group. Care navigation involves telephonic sign-posting, giving information and advice to patients previously diagnosed with a long term condition. Those people who identify a health-related goal to work towards use the health coaching service which encourages positive lifestyle behaviour change. Tele health vital sign monitoring uses equipment in the home to monitor vital signs and warn healthcare professionals if they need to take action.
A report based on patient surveys circulated between April 2016 and September 2016 found real benefits for local people. For those respondents accessing health coaching, 79.2% said that their confidence had improved, 75% said they are now more in control of their conditions, 63% had made changes to their lifestyles and 63%) said they visit their GP less. For those accessing care navigation 51% said they feel more in control of their condition and 42% said they visit their GP less. For those accessing vital sign monitoring 83% said it helped them to manage their day to day condition, 88% said it has increased their confidence and 68% said that using the device and having access to the Care Navigator Nurse has made them visit their GP less.
Paul Hughes, service lead – care navigation / tele-health, said: “Our services help people with an on-going illness or long term condition to take control of their health, maximising their potential for independent living. People are supported by dedicated nursing staff who provide information and advice to encourage healthier behaviours and lifestyles.”
Patients with a long term condition that require additional telephonic support can self-refer by contacting the service Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. via the freephone number 0800 612 1976. Visit www.bassetlawccg.nhs.uk for more information.