04 July 2023 , 23:01
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Sick children will be discharged to have hospital-level care in their own home from today.
“Virtual wards” are being rolled out so youngsters with some conditions such as respiratory illnesses can be monitored safely surrounded by family.
Children will be provided with wearable devices and a tablet so medics can check their vital signs. NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said it had provided peace of mind to families during trials.
The expansion follows a similar move for adults with 160,000 treated on virtual wards since April last year.
Ms Pritchard said: “They are already providing excellent care to families when children are sick, and this expansion will enable thousands more to receive high quality care from home. Being treated at home can have a hugely positive impact on patients. They receive hospital-level care, but are not separated from their families.”
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Amanda Pritchard (PA)Parents can log observations which go to dedicated medics.
In Blackpool, almost 200 children have been treated on paediatric wards. They include 21-month-old Hope Ezard, who was born at just 29 weeks with developmental disorder, chronic lung disease and feeding issues. She has been in and out of hospital.
The introduction of the paediatric virtual ward at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals means Hope gets the care she needs while surrounded by family.
Mum Sarah said: “Hope being able to receive some of that care at home is so beneficial.
“She is more vulnerable to hospital infections so there is peace of mind.”