My name is Rod, and this is my story.
I am 83 years old; I live in Kendal, and I am a retired solicitor. I do not particularly like to visit hospitals but on this occasion, I can say my experience was brilliant.
I fell on the concrete path in my back garden. Paramedics arrived and attended to my head injury. I did not want to go to hospital, so the paramedics dressed my wound, but I was advised if anything changed to contact the hospital. I woke up the following morning with blood everywhere, so I decided to attend Kendal Urgent Treatment Centre.
The nurses changed my dressing but as I was leaving the treatment room, I felt unwell and nearly collapsed. I was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary by ambulance and was left in the corridor at Accident and Emergency for eight hours. I was then moved to the Acute Frailty Unit (AFU) where they looked after me very nicely.
The following day I was advised I could go home as a virtual ward patient, and I had no idea what that meant and thought it was a way to get rid of me, but I was more than happy to go home.
I went home by ambulance and went to bed to rest, the following morning I received many visits by various healthcare professionals. All of which were brilliant, and I was well looked after, they stopped with me for as long as I wanted and tended to my wounds. I liked the fact I could eat and drink when I wanted as opposed to having restricted mealtimes in hospital.
I cannot thank the team enough and would highly recommend anyone else in the same position as me to take up the offer of being on a virtual ward, I would in fact go as far as to say I felt I recovered more quickly at home than I would have in hospital.
- I had a fall on Tuesday 25 October 2022 and the following day visited Kendal Urgent Treatment Centre (KUTC) at Westmorland General Hospital for help. KUTC admitted me to Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Acute Frailty Unit where I stayed overnight and received many tests and scans.
- I was able to come home the following day Thursday 27 October as a patient on a virtual ward. I had never heard of a virtual ward so was unsure what would happen.
- I received my first visit on Friday 28 October which was from Katy and Matt from the rapid response team. Their visit lasted almost two hours and they were incredibly helpful, professional, and caring. They took my blood pressure dressed my wounds, took bloods to monitor my low sodium, potassium, and iron levels. They also checked my temperature and saturation levels. Katy and Matt offered lots of advice and reassured both myself and my wife.
- I had two further visits from the rapid response team that day.
- Occupational Therapy also visited several times to advise and assist on aids to help ensure I remained safe and comfortable around the house.
- Over the next few days, I received many healthcare professional visits at home.
Background
UHMBT (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust) have has feedback from patients who have stayed on virtual wards which have been positive.
The virtual ward system helps to prioritise hospital beds for people who need them.
The Trust currently has capacity to care for up to 27 patients through its virtual wards and we aim to expand to 150 by September 2023.
Our virtual wards mean we can provide a higher level of care for patients while also offering them the comfort and stability of remaining in their own home.