NEWS RELEASES
Community Link helps chronically ill patients
16th November 2007
A HEALTH monitoring system run by Horsham District Council is supporting a trial to help chronically ill patients manage at home.
The trial, in partnership with West Sussex Primary Care Trust, is designed to remotely monitor the vital signs of patients with long-term conditions every day.
Horsham District Council’s Community Link Alarm team programmes and installs monitoring equipment and teaches patients how to use the monitor and the associated vital sign readers.
The monitor can take readings such as blood pressure, blood glucose and weight and the patient also has to answer condition specific questions that help to give the clinician a better picture of how the patient is that day.
The Community Matrons are then able to determine if any interventions or corrective measure are required for each patient. The telehealth equipment is a tool to help the Community Matrons and Heart Failure Nurse Specialist closely monitor patients’ conditions, helping to prevent avoidable hospital admissions but also giving patients more control over their condition.
The aim of the trial is to build up a picture of chronically ill patient health trends and help cut down on unplanned admissions to hospital.
Additional benefits of this monitoring system are to help patients and their families feel more supported in monitoring of their condition with the convenience of taking measurements in their own home at the best time for them as well as reducing routine visits and allowing Community Matrons and Heart Failure Specialist Nurse to focus time on patients who are more in need of active input.
For further information contact Horsham District Council on 01403 215230 or email community.link@horsham.gov.uk
This news release has been issued jointly by Horsham District Council and West Sussex Primary Care Trust.
Ends
Notes to editors
Community Link is a telephone based personal alarm system which provides a rapid response, day or night.
Using a unit connected to a ‘phone line, users simply press a trigger that will operate up to 50 meters away from the base unit and the control centre will be able to identify them immediately, activating the help they need.
Community Link is available on a rental basis to anyone who feels vulnerable or need added security such as people living alone, the disabled or those in isolated areas.
The youngest customer of Community Link is 21 and oldest 101, proving that feeling secure in the home is something that applies to all generations.
Community Link is provided by Horsham District Council and works in partnership with Sussex Police, West Sussex Trading Standards and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
For a no obligation demonstration, please contact Horsham District Council's Community Link service on 01403 215230 or email: community.link@horsham.gov.uk
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk