Yeovil Hospital clinicians are running virtual clinics to enable patients to receive care while staying home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some weeks ago, staff from across all specialities at the Somerset hospital were tasked with providing outpatient services remotely, drastically reducing the number of patients entering the hospital building. The numbers speak for themselves and show the team has very much risen to the challenge.
Clinicians have completed more than 3,000 outpatient telephone consultations in the first five weeks of lock-down in place of face-to-face appointments. This week, the team launched the next stage of our virtual clinics with video consultations offered by oncology consultants using Attend Anywhere software. This new tech will be rolled out at pace across the individual specialities over the next few weeks and will be used alongside telephone calls to meet the needs of patients.
Yeovil Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Meridith Kane said: “Traditionally we have always run these clinics as face-to-face appointments so I think it is fair to say that many of us have been incredibly surprised by how smooth the transition has been.
“This has been a fast change for us all and the staff have shown tremendous resilience and flexibility. I have used it myself in my Paediatric Consultant role and feel confident that this new way of approaching outpatient appointments ensures we continue to meet our usual high standards of patient care. I would also like to thank our patients for their part in making the virtual clinics work so well.
“This is very much a case of business as usual in the sense that those who need hands-on examination or treatment will get that. However, for the large number of patients for whom a call is able to meet their needs, this is a great way to keep them safe at home, while reducing the risk in the hospital for those who do need to come in.”
Video calls with clinicians at Yeovil Hospital will be increasing over the next few weeks and patients will be contacted with details about their individual appointment and needs.
Dr Kane added: “Looking to the future, it is important that we look at the successes and take the opportunity to incorporate changes that will improve our services and patient experience we provide beyond the pandemic.”
More details about video consultations can be found on the Yeovil Hospital website here yeovilhospital.co.uk/virtual-clinics
Pictured: Consultant Oncologist Sunil Daryanani
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This post was written by Communications Team
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