Gadget link to matrons

Tuesday June 29th, 2010

Nurses in Lancashire, UK, have been testing cutting edge gadgets for keeping in touch with patients with chronic illness living at home.

Patients are able to videoconference with community matrons and send measurements of blood pressure, pulse and weight.

They can also respond to other daily questions about their condition in the project in Central Lancashire and can view educational videos.

A 12 month pilot scheme was launched in Preston this month.

Anne Walton, locality lead for community matrons, said she was "very excited" by the project.

She said: "My team and I have been working very hard to get this pilot up and running and we are getting lots of positive feedback from patients.

"This new technology allows patients to take a more active role in their own care and to learn more about their own condition. This will hopefully teach them how to spot signs of symptoms so they can act sooner to avoid being admitted to hospital.

"If this pilot is deemed a success it will potentially open up a new way of working for community matrons and other services, helping to improve the existing quality service we provide to our patients."

Local lung patient Dennis Winder, aged 68, said: "The equipment is brilliant and very easy to use. It keeps me in constant contact with the community matron team while not being intrusive.

"If the matrons think there is a problem they give me a call to check I am ok. There was an occasion the other week when my measurements went up and John, my community matron, was round my house in no time to check on me."

Tags: Nursing & Midwifery | UK News

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