The diabetes virtual ward in Leicester is for adults with any type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It provides remote support and follow-up for people with diabetes seen in general practice, emergency departments or who have been an inpatient at a Leicester hospital. Reasons people are seen include hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, newly diagnosed, poor glycaemic control and lower limb complications.

To establish good glucose control, patients are reviewed at either a repeat visit or have to stay in hospital. Now, a technology-enabled virtual ward using Clinitouch, a remote patient monitoring platform, allows patients to be safely discharged and monitored at home.

Aims & Objectives

• To enable safe, supported discharge from hospital for diabetes patients
• To avoid hospital admissions and re-admissions
• To provide patient centred care for diabetes patients
• To use technology to support diabetes patients at home

How it works

• Patient - is provided with remote monitoring equipment. At home, the patient answers diabetes-related questions and records blood glucose, blood pressure and weight using Clinitouch.
• Clinitouch - the platform has unique algorithms that automatically analyse and risk-score the data. It will highlight when any patient moves outside the agreed parameters.
• Diabetes Team - remotely monitor patients using the information the patients submit on Clinitouch. If patient is flagged amber or red on Clinitouch, interventions are made.

Dr Noel O’Kelly - Medical Director at Spirit Health comments:

“A diabetes virtual ward, enabled by technology, gives patients a choice with regards to their care.

"Patients opting for the virtual ward can be monitored in the comfort of their own home and receive the support they need from a specialist diabetic nurse.”