Category > Patient safety

Supporting patients in the community with COVID-19

News

NHS England and NHS Improvement are working with the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) and local areas to support the set-up of ‘COVID oximetry@home’ services (also known as ‘COVID virtual wards’). This is one of the priority goals for the additional £150 million General Practice COVID Capacity Expansion Fund, and is already being used in…

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Five questions to help you select the right digital solutions for remote monitoring during COVID-19

Blog article

With the rise of COVID-19 and the need for increased home monitoring, in particular pulse oximetry, there is renewed interest in the role of digital in supporting this pathway. Dr Shanil Mantri, GP and Clinical Digital Advisor to the West of England AHSN, shares his advice on what should to be considered when contemplating a…

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Reflecting on and celebrating ReSPECT

Blog article

In this special blog post, Anne Pullyblank – Medical Director, West of England AHSN, discusses how ReSPECT started, the success of the programme, and what is next.  Back in 2018, there was a mixed picture across our region for managing end of life care. We knew we needed a unified system to make these challenging…

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Image shows woman in wheelchair having her blood pressure checked

Helping care home residents get the right treatment quickly

Blog article

Fessey House is a residential care home in Swindon for people with dementia, learning disabilities and other enhanced needs. Local GP, Chris Turner and Senior Community Nurse, Soghra Bi have been supporting Fessey House to introduce RESTORE2, in collaboration with the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), to help staff more quickly identify when residents’ health…

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Flu vaccination for people with Learning disabilities

Flu resources launched: People with a learning disability are at greater risk of developing serious illness

News

The national flu campaign to encourage uptake of the free flu vaccination, particularly amongst at risk groups, has launched. Individuals with a learning disability are identified as an ‘at risk’ group and are therefore entitled to a free flu vaccine. As are their carers, whether that is a family member or paid support staff who…

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COVID-19: collaboration is key

Blog article

In the third of our series looking at our learning from COVID-19, Kay Haughton, Director of Transformation at West of England AHSN, explains how the AHSN used its existing expertise to help healthcare systems during the pandemic. As COVID-19 took hold, we became very aware in the West of England AHSN just how busy our…

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Alessandra Glover Williams

Civility can save lives

Blog article

Aless Glover Williams, Neonatal GRID Trainee ST7, St Michael’s Neonatal Unit and Neonatal QI Fellow supporting the PERIPrem Project on how knowing your team will help ensure Patient Safety. On World Patient Safety Day, especially as this year highlights ‘Health Worker Safety’, I’m reflecting on the importance of knowing and valuing the individual members of…

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Kevin Hunter

COVID-19: patient safety in a pandemic

Blog article

In the second of our series looking at our learning from COVID-19, Kevin Hunter, Associate Director for Patient Safety & Programme Delivery at West of England AHSN, reflects on his experiences ensuring safer care during the pandemic. I have worked in the patient safety team at the West of England AHSN for over five years…

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Supporting Care Homes: Transfer of Care Around Medicines

News

Since 2018, as one of the AHSN Network’s national adoption and spread programmes, Transfer of Care Around Medicines (TCAM) has been an important medicines safety project for the West of England AHSN. Upon discharge from hospital, 30-70% of patients experience unintentional changes to their medications or an error is made because of a miscommunication. 37%1…

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Image shows care home resident talking to a member of staff

Increasing support workers’ confidence to spot deterioration

Blog article

Mildred Mhlanga is a manager at Silva Care, which provides various care services across Bristol, including supported living, respite and outreach services. Silva Care’s support workers help service users with medical appointments, making referrals and signposting to relevant health professionals. Mildred felt a knowledge of NEWS2 could complement the skills of their support workers and…

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