Albert is 1,000th patient linked to Airedale Hospital telehealth hub (From Craven Herald)

Albert is 1,000th patient linked to Airedale Hospital telehealth hub

10:00am Monday 11th March 2013 in News

Ex-Royal Marine Albert Joyner has become the 1,000th patient to be linked up to Airedale Hospital’s telehealth hub Mr Joyner, who is 101, is a resident at Herncliffe nursing home in Keighley and, when he needs it, can access assistance from hospital consultants or specialist nurses via the link.

“I haven’t used the telemedicine kit yet as I haven’t had much wrong with me apart from a chesty cough. I like to keep myself fit,” said Mr Joyner.

Herncliffe deputy matron Beverley Clarkson said staff had used the service to get advice for patients who had suffered falls, had infections or needed palliative care.

She said: “I think the service is a brilliant idea. We tend to use it for medical advice. Lots of our clients get very distressed at the thought of going into hospital, so anything that helps us care for them here is good.”

The telehealth hub, launched in September 2011, uses the latest video conferencing technology to connect patients and nursing home staff to specialist medical care at the touch of a button.

Currently, 29 nursing and residential homes are linked to the service and the figure is set to increase.

Up to the end of last year, nearly 200 hospital admissions had been prevented thanks to the hub.

Rebecca Malin, head of business development and investment at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The technology helps to provide more care for residents at home or in their care home, rather than simply calling the GP or an ambulance.

“Often, a quick change to someone’s medication or even something as simple as giving someone more to drink to improve their fluid levels and increase hydration can avoid the need for an ambulance and hospital stay.”