Work to avoid or reduce the need for people to go into hospital is being recognised in a top awards showcase.
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Connected Care Programme is a partnership initiative which supports care home residents to live as well as possible for as long as possible.
The programme has been shortlisted in two categories of the Health Service Journal (HSJ) Patient Safety awards.
Already nominated for an HSJ Digital award, the programme has now been recognised as a contender for both the Learning Disabilities Partnership of the year and the Virtual or Remote Care Initiative of the year.
As part of the programme, Chris, who has a learning disability, has been equipped with a Whzan Blue Box, a piece of technology which allows him to regularly measure his heart rate, blood pressure and temperature so he has a clear understanding of the situation with his health.
Councillor Christine Radford, county council cabinet member for adults and communities said: “We’re thrilled to see this initiative being recognised again for the difference it’s making to the lives of residents across LLR.
“We know that hospital settings often increase anxiety levels in people, so having the technology to carry out checks in their homes, helps to relieve some of those worries and avoids unnecessary admissions to hospital.”
Councillor Diane Ellison, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health at Rutland County Council, said: "This is fantastic news that this initiative is being recognised. Innovation and making best use of technology play a vital role in helping us provide the best possible care and support for people who need it.
“The Connected Care Programme is a great example of this, where embracing new technology is helping frontline care staff and providers monitor the health of their residents and intervene quickly, if this starts to deteriorate. Prevention is always better than cure and early identification is absolutely critical to a successful preventative approach.”
Kerry Kaur, Head of Integration and Transformation at Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, said: “We’re really proud of the work of our colleagues in health and social care across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, in supporting care home residents to be cared for away from hospital.
“The Connected Care programme enables care providers to decide whether the patient can be treated at home, in their own surroundings, where we know that people generally fare better, and we are really pleased that the programme has been shortlisted for an award once again.”
Find out more about the programme, its positive impact across the health and care system, and, most importantly, the difference it has made to Chris’ life in a short YouTube video.