4 | NEWS
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, April 14, 2022
Virtual ward at Royal Berks treats 1,000 patients ON THE DECK: The Mayor joined staff to cut the tape to open Pirates Landing next to Elms Field on Saturday. Picture: Steve Smyth
Pirates welcomed at new soft play
HI-TECH TREATMENTS: A virtual ward has helped free up bed space at the Royal Berkshire Hospital By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today A PIONEERING virtual ward set up at the Royal Berkshire Hospital has managed more than 1,000 patients since its launch.
Used by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundations Trust’s Covid Medicine Delivery Unit (CMDU), the new arrangement was set up at the start of this year and is the first of its kind. It consists of medical technology based in the patient’s home which is remotely monitored by clinicians and means patients don’t need to come to hospital while their condition is safely managed. Treating patients remotely a also frees up beds and resources for the trust. Dr Joseph Nunan, acute medicine ultrasound fellow,
said: “This is a phenomenal achievement that is built on the back of a huge amount of hard work and innovation from everyone in the team. “CMDU has far exceeded our expectations, and it’s fantastic that we’re able to treat a greater number of patients more safely.” The CMDU treats high-risk covid patients – those who were advised to shield during the pandemic – with the minimum risk and exposure possible. The system was designed to reduce the pressure on the hospital during the initial surge of Covid-19 but, following its success, the trust is now looking at ways it can be used elsewhere. Currently, the trust treats a number of conditions on the virtual ward, including chest infections, pulmonary blood clots, gastric issues and kidney infections, Treating patients suffering
from alcohol withdrawal on the virtual ward has meant the average stay has gone from five days in hospital to receiving their treatment entirely from home. Steve McManus, chief executive officer at the trust, said: “I’m so proud of the work that the CMDU and Virtual Acute Care Unit (VACU) are doing. “It’s so important for us to be at the forefront of patient care, and the trust is employing new techniques that will change the way patients are treated.” The trust believes the full potential of this style of treatment is yet to be realised and the VACU is exploring the possibility of treating heart failure patients remotely. This would use new technology to administer infusions that would ordinarily only be possible in person at the hospital.
YOUNG pirates were made to walk the plank on Saturday, as a new soft play centre was opened. Borough mayor Cllr Keith Baker was on hand to cut the ribbon to Pirates Landing, based in Elms Field. The centre is, as the name testifies, a bit piratey, and includes slides, ball pits, climbing frames and a café area. It is part of the town centre regeneration, and its opening had been delayed by the pandemic.
Following the launch, Sarah Morgan, assistant director of commercial property at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Pirates Landing to our Elms Field regeneration. “While their original opening was delayed by the pandemic they are an amazing business and well worth the wait. “We’re sure they will be a real hit with local families for years to come.” The company has another
branch in Camberley, and has an aim of providing a fun day out for families, with high quality play equipment kept in shipshape condition. Chris Jefferson, owner of Pirates Landing, said: “Our goal at Pirates Landing is to make a positive impact on the lives of the families in the communities we serve. “The passionate team at Pirates Landing will always provide a first class captain’s experience.”
Trust scored well by NHS staff STAFF at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust rate their workplace as a safe and healthy organisation. Findings from the 2021 NHS Staff Survey show the trust performed better than the national average in a number of categories. Of those surveyed, 67% would recommend the trust as a place to work, higher than the national average of 58%. The results also show 80% of staff are happy with the standard of care provided compared with the national average of 67%. As with all NHS trusts, staff have been under a lot of pressure from the pandemic and the survey is an opportunity to give feedback and voice their feelings about their experience at work. The Royal Berkshire Trust uses the survey as an insight to their staff and through the
survey it has been recognised as a compassionate and inclusive organisation, where staff feel their voice counts. The survey also highlighted the trust performed above average in areas for staff including flexible working opportunities and learning and development. Steve McManus, chief executive at the trust, said: “I’m really pleased our staff have rated us well and it’s great to see we are above average in most areas of the survey. “The trust prides itself on being a supportive workplace and we are working hard to boost staff morale and wellbeing after such a difficult two years. “We want our staff to feel valued in the work they do and we will continue to work on ways to improve this.” Initiatives recently
introduced at the trust include special thank you cards for staff recognition and a health kiosk on trust sites to support staff in their health and wellbeing. The trust is also set to welcome back its annual Royal Berkshire CARE Awards later this year.
Coffee morning will help sight loss charity A LEADING sight loss charity is reaching out to people in the Wokingham area who have been diagnosed with a sight loss condition. The Macular Society will host an information and coffee morning on Wednesday, April 20, between 10am and noon. The event, at Café Mosaic in The Bradbury Centre, is a chance for people to find out about its services. The charity offers information and encouragement to people who are affected by macular disease – the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK – and other eye conditions who may otherwise feel isolated or alone. For more details, contact its regional manager Tyler Phillips on 0792 0643 710.
