National award for Trust’s patient telemonitoring

In addition, the Trust’s ‘Releasing Time to Care’ initiative which looks at ways of improving patient experiences on busy hospital wards received runner up in the Productive Series – International category at the Awards.

Remote telemonitoring combines technology and services that enable patients with chronic conditions including respiratory disease heart failure, diabetes and stroke, to check their vital signs, such as pulse, blood pressure, body weight, temperature and oxygen levels at home on a daily basis.

Health Minister Edwin Poots congratulated the Trust on their achievements saying: “I cannot overstate the role that innovation and technology have in the future of our health service. If we want more people to receive care at home when appropriate, then we need the equipment to facilitate them. We also need people with drive and imagination to recognise the benefits for patients and to lead the way in implementation. I am delighted to see the staff in the Southern Trust gain the recognition they deserve for their pioneering work in this area.”

Mairead McAlinden, Chief Executive, Southern Trust congratulated all the staff involved: “I am delighted that the Southern Trust team has been recognised nationally as a pioneer in the implementation of remote telehealth. The Heart Failure, COPD, Stroke and Diabetes teams have shown real commitment and dedication to embracing new technology and new ways of working to improve the quality of care for their patients.”

In relation to the ‘Releasing Time to Care’ initiative which has supported teams in many of our hospital wards to review their systems and processes to make a positive difference to patient care. Mrs McAlinden said: “The implementation of ‘Releasing Time to Care’ to over 60% of our wards and theatres has made cost savings by reducing waste, improving safety and increasing the time staff spend on direct patient care. I look forward to the further rollout of Releasing Time to Care to all our hospital wards and theatres. I would like to commend the staff involved in both these initiatives”

Judith Clarkson, Divisional Director of the Lean Healthcare Academy, said “The event was a tremendous success. We have held these awards for the past four years and each year they have grown, both in the number of entries and more importantly, the quality of lean efficiency projects seen within the healthcare sector.”