Key DHU service in Derbyshire picks up national Nursing Times Award
DHU Healthcare’s Community Virtual Ward in Derbyshire is celebrating after winning a prestigious Nursing Times Award.
The team has already been honoured with a Health Service Journal Patient Safety Award and followed that up by being presented with the Nursing Times Care of Older People Award at a glittering ceremony in London.
It caps a remarkable year for the team who have received numerous regional and national awards and nominations and seen their service develop further to reach the milestone of treating their 5000th patient this September.
The team are a shining example of what the NHS long term plan is looking to achieve, providing urgent care to patients in their own home and preventing hospital admissions. The work they do with patients allows them to recover in a familiar environment, look after their own condition through remote monitoring and observational equipment with a healthcare professional available over the phone for advice or a home visit if needed.
Emma Wardale is Clinical Lead for the service and said: “We know the value of what we do for our patients and what it means to them, but to have that recognised by others, amongst such esteemed company, is incredible for us. We see the Community Virtual Ward as an essential part of the Derbyshire care system, giving patients who may have fallen, become ill or develop complications with a long term condition the option to be treated at home with remote support.
“Our falls pathway is a big part of that, providing care for more than 1,500 patients since March last year who may otherwise have been taken to hospital. If we can put that home support in place for those patients and provide the right aftercare and support at home, they retain their independence. It also means more bed space for critically ill patients in hospital.”
Neil Jones, DHU’s Virtual Ward Advanced Practitioner, added: “The feedback we get from our patients, their families and carers show that this model of care is exactly what’s needed. Whilst not all patients can be cared for at home, those under our care benefit from being close to their friends and family and if we can make that happen for them, it’s of huge benefit and value for them.
“This award is an absolute honour and we receive it on behalf of everybody at DHU who supports our work and the patients and their families who value what we do. We have plans to further develop our service and we’re excited about where we can take this model of care in the years to come.”
The Nursing Times Awards took place at The JW Marriott Grosvenor Hours Hotel in London to recognise the very best in nursing and midwifery innovation, leadership, compassion and excellence that makes a difference to patient care across the country.
