How the Sciensus Virtual Wards Service is making a ‘life-changing’ difference for patients

Not only was receiving treatment at home through the Sciensus Virtual Wards Service more convenient than being in hospital for Elaine from Hertfordshire, it was also hugely beneficial for her mental health. Elaine has bronchiectasis, a long-term condition that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection. The condition resulted in her needing two hospital stays within the last year. Both times she was able to leave hospital earlier than expected thanks to the Sciensus Virtual Wards Service, which she describes as ‘life-changing’.

After a week-long stay in hospital for pneumonia last year, Elaine was referred to the Sciensus Virtual Wards Service and was allowed home to continue her treatment there. A Sciensus nurse visited Elaine twice daily for two weeks to administer IV antibiotics. Elaine also received daily calls from the Virtual Wards Service team to check on her progress, and she spoke with a respiratory consultant regularly.

Elaine used the service again this year, when a chest infection led to another stay in hospital. Again, Elaine was moved into the care of the Virtual Wards Service after a week-long hospital stay so she could continue her recovery with IV antibiotics being given at home.

Elaine said: “In hospital, I was assessed by a Sciensus nurse who said I was suitable for the Virtual Wards Service and they fitted me in as soon as they had space.

“I was so pleased because I really wanted to be at home. The first time I was in hospital it was initially looking like I was going to be staying for longer and it wasn’t good for me mentally, I needed to get home.”

“I didn’t eat when I was in hospital and I was getting very down. The nurses there do their best, but it’s never nice being in hospital if you don’t need to be.”

“I had never heard of the Virtual Wards Service so I was really pleased there was a way I could be treated at home. It was life-changing.”

Nurses would visit Elaine in the morning and then again later in the day, spending between 30 minutes and an hour checking her observations and giving her IV antibiotics.

Elaine would also take her own observations throughout the day and would give the details to members of the Virtual Wards Service team when they called her daily.

Elaine added: “All the nurses were lovely. It’s such a brilliant team and so well-managed.

“I felt just as well looked after as if I had been in hospital. I had a number I could call if I needed anything, so I never felt alone. I had so much support and I can’t fault the service.”

Having had such success with the Virtual Wards Service, Elaine’s respiratory consultant told her if she comes down with another infection she would likely not need to go to hospital. The plan is for Elaine to use the Virtual Wards Service at home straight away.

Elaine said: “It’s very reassuring to know that. It has been so beneficial for my mental health, as even if I do think I’m coming down with something now, I keep calm knowing that I can hopefully be treated at home.

“It’s also so much easier for my family not to have to fight through gridlock on the roads to visit me in hospital. I can be looked after by the amazing Virtual Wards Service team and my husband at home.

“I think the service is amazing, and I would recommend it a million percent. It is the best thing that could have happened for me. All the nurses were so lovely, they became more like friends and I felt so comfortable having them in my home. I can’t thank them enough. They’re a well-run team and it made a huge difference to my life. I can’t praise them enough. I can’t put into words how good they are.”