Well done to our Respiratory team who have been working hard to implement Telehealth with the treatment of COPD. 

Our team work predominantly in the community and at CRH, and have recently began using Telehealth in conjuction with specialist nursing support.

Telehealth refers to the exchange of data between a patient and clinician to assist in diagnosis and monitoring, and it is mainly used for patients with long term conditions.

Often it has helped to reduce anxiety and has supported patients, carers and families to make good decisions about self-management.

General manager, Mandy Gibbons-Phelan, said: "The telehealth has helped patients recognise symptoms of exacerbation of their condition which has given them confidence to start their rescue medications earlier, which improves their health."

"This has helped to keep people at home as they are not deteriorating as often as they were before using the technology. Patients seem to like the technology."

"Staff have seen the benefit of the technology especially when patients struggles to monitor their condition, the team are able to see deterioration and intervene by contacting and instigating an assessment which otherwise wouldn’t happen."

She added: "If a patient lives in a more rural location and there is indecision around the ability to manage at home, telehealth enables us to have more frequent and accurate information to support clinical decision making."

"Anxiety is a major symptom for patients with respiratory disease and it often causes hospital admissions. In some instances where there have been multiple admissions. Telehealth has been successful in reassuring the patient and carer. This is often around understanding if breathlessness is caused by illness or by exertion."

Here is some patient feedback of Telehealth Users:

Patient 3 Q1. How do you find having Telehealth installed?

A.Very good, informs the nurses how I feel everyday, I feel as though they are keeping an eye on me day to day. I have a pulse oximeter also and that is also very helpful, I take my readings each day and write them down.

Q2.  Do you like it? A:Yes I do, very much

Q3. Any problems? A: Only when a black wire came out, the nurse noticed, rang me and told me to connect it.

Q4.  How would you feel if it was removed? A: Definitely do not want it removed, I would be worried about my health, without it.

Q5. Do you feel supported with Telehealth installed? A: I feel supported, like someone is monitoring me. It is a huge confidence boost for me. A life saver. Thank you for letting me have it.