Mental health patient receives pioneering virtual ward care thanks to partnership between NHS teams
A patient has become the first in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to receive a type of specialist mental health treatment via a ‘virtual ward’ thanks to a pioneering NHS partnership.
Virtual wards, using hi-tech monitoring, were introduced to patients to enable them to receive their care at home rather than in hospital.
Thanks to a link-up between Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services, and North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust - which operates Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford & Rutland Hospitals - the patient has received medication for schizophrenia via a ‘virtual ward’.
The patient, who is not being named, was treated with clozapine, an anti-psychotic medication. Clozapine can be prescribed when a patient has not responded to other treatments.
To ensure the dosage is correct and any side effects are closely monitored a patient receiving clozapine would normally have to stay at a hospital, visit a specialist day centre on a daily basis, or have NHS staff frequently visiting them at home for up to four weeks.
With this trial, the patient did not have to attend hospital and instead received clozapine in their own home. They were then monitored using the virtual systems NWAFT has for physical health patients, together with regular check-ins from mental health staff at CPFT.
Dr Rajeev Krishnadas, consultant psychiatrist with CPFT and assistant professor in psychosis studies at the University of Cambridge (pictured above left), said: “Clozapine is a highly effective treatment for patients with schizophrenia but is hugely under-prescribed across the country, primarily because of the difficulties around the monitoring that is needed after starting the medication.
“Using the virtual wards for patients needing this medication will be a major step forward. It means they can safely begin taking the medication whilst at home where they are most comfortable. Using a virtual ward for a patient receiving mental health treatment is certainly a first of its kind in our area, and may well be the first of its kind – using clozapine – in the country.
“The patient is doing very well, and if this initial project continues to be a success, even more people will be able to access clozapine and get the help and support they need.”
Dr Deyo Okubadejo, clinical director for virtual wards at NWAFT (pictured above right), added: “Virtual wards provide a safe alternative to hospital ward care.
“With the aid of technology and multi-disciplinary teams working together, we hope that this project will enable suitable patients to begin this important treatment in the comfort of their own homes.
“This may also release some capacity for other patients who require urgent admission to a mental health ward from home or from an emergency department.”
The NHS describes psychosis as when people lose some contact with reality. This might involve seeing or hearing things that other people cannot see or hear – hallucinations - and believing things that are not actually true known as delusions. It may also involve confused or disordered thinking and speaking.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of psychosis should immediately contact their GP. Treatment delivered as soon as possible is known to be more effective.
ENDS
For Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust contact: communications@cpft.nhs.uk
For North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust contact: communications@cpft.nhs.uk
