A “VIRTUAL” Covid-19 ward which allows patients to leave hospital sooner, has been praised by patients and their families.

The ward is run by a team of specialist respiratory nurses who monitor the progress of patients remotely from across East Sussex.

It was set up in a matter of days and is a collaboration between clinicians, the East Sussex Healthcare Trust Covid incident centre and IT team.

So far, twelve patients have been supported on the ‘virtual ward’ with 125 hospital bed days saved.

Just one patient using the virtual war required readmission back to hospital.

A selected group of patients recovering from Covid were discharged early to their own home, with low flow oxygen via an oxygen concentrator and regular monitoring using a pulse oximeter.

The patient records these readings and feeds them back to the nurse when they call.

Dr Simon Merritt, Respiratory Consultant and Chief of Medicine said: “Our virtual Covid ward has received a high level of satisfaction from patients.

“Everyone has expressed their gratitude, felt supported and have been reassured the whole time whilst they were at home.

“The virtual ward was set up at great speed when we were under considerable pressure and it success is tribute the great team work of everyone involved in setting it up.

“Our virtual ward supported patients at home, and we were able monitor their condition helping to free up beds in the hospital.

Patients have spent an average of 5 to 10 days on the ‘virtual’ ward.

The team contact patients daily to record to check on their symptoms, general wellbeing and record their oxygen saturation.

Any concerns are escalated to a consultant respiratory physician for advice and a hospital assessment arranged, as necessary.