St Helena has received a social investment award from the Postcode Innovation Trust to embed the Virtual Ward into its Hospice in the Home service, giving patients more choice to remain in their own familiar environment with their loved ones.

Patients with complex medical needs may be referred to the Virtual Ward for a short period of intensive specialist palliative care at home, which could include medication prescribing and symptom management similar to an admission to the Hospice inpatient unit.

Virtual Ward complements the support available at home from St Helena’s clinical nurse specialists and SinglePoint 24/7 helpline and rapid response, along with its Home Ward personal care service.

Dr Emma Tempest, Medical Director at St Helena, said:

“We are so grateful for the generous award from the Postcode Innovation Trust to enable us to offer more choice for people in need of hospice services at home.

“Many of our patients want to stay in the comfort of their home but sometimes a stay at the Hospice or hospital is advised when extra medical intervention is needed for symptom control.

“But now through our new Virtual Ward, patients have more choice to remain at home if their medical needs increase or they need a period of extra medical support.

“By avoiding unnecessary admission to hospital, the new service has the added benefit of helping to protect NHS capacity. 

“It releases inpatient capacity at the Hospice too, so more people now have the option to pay for respite care in the peaceful and supportive environment of the Hospice, while giving people temporary relief from caring for a loved one, with all the funds raised going back into the charity to support our core free hospice services.”

Visit sthelena.org.uk to find out about all the support available from St Helena and to refer yourself or a loved one for hospice support.