CARE homes are reaping the rewards of a cyber-diagnosis system that has reduced the need for hospital visits.

The Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG has introduced a ‘telemedicine’ system into care homes across the area which enables residents to receive a professional diagnosis without leaving their room.

The system, supplied by Immedicare, works in a similar way to the video calling programme ‘Skype’ that allows nursing and residential homes to connect to a hub in Airedale for medical advice and guidance via laptops.

The service is now in place across eight local nursing homes, 12 residential homes and five extra care housing facilities.

Gill Collinson, chief nurse from the CCG said: “Having this technology has shown a reduction in GP visits as well as emergency department attendances and admissions.

“It enables very elderly residents to be assessed at home prior to any escalation to other services, increasing staff confidence and service capacity.

“It’s available 24/7 which also reduces the time taken to assess and diagnose a patient.

“We’ve had excellent feedback from the service so far and will continue to encourage usage with careful monitoring.”

One care home, Hambleton Grange in Thirsk implemented Immedicare to assist staff, especially the night staff, in making medical decisions and to reduce the number of avoidable hospital visits.

Sandra Szypitka, deputy manager of Hambleton Grange said: “Using Immedicare has been especially useful if one of our residents has a fall, we can gain a second opinion and be reassured hospital admission is the right choice.

“Previously we would have had to wait for someone to come out and look at the resident, but now it can be done instantly over video call which is a relief.

“In one case, one of our residents was quite unwell so we called the hub, which diagnosed her with a chest infection and prescribed her antibiotics over the call. “Before Immedicare, this resident would have faced a trip to hospital.

“Immedicare has improved our care home by reducing the number of hospital visits and allowing our residents to be seen by a nurse instantly, therefore getting the right care for the patient quicker than before.”