The ImpACT+ service is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of respiratory consultants, specialist nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, offering on-going support to respiratory patients in the community and in hospital in the South Derbyshire area.
Following bouts of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, a rising number of patients required ongoing care, but with social distancing measures in place, this was made difficult.
The team recognised that this could lead to a new cohort of patients suffering with chronic respiratory illnesses and health issues as a result of not receiving the follow-up care and support required.
In March 2020, the team launched a virtual ward model, adapting to the challenges posed by the pandemic, while the service's telephone helpline, 'LungLine', has provided invaluable support to patients in their own home.
As the pandemic has progressed and the demographic of patients has changed (meaning more young patients have required support), ImpACT+ has had to continually adapt its care packages to ensure care is tailored to individual needs.
The support offered to patients is not limited to clinical advice for managing their condition. The ImpACT+ team has also been offering emotional and mental health support to patients to ensure a rounded, holistic care package for patients.
The introduction of the virtual ward has helped patients receive the care and support they need from the comfort of their own homes and has also resulted in fewer of these patients needing to be readmitted to acute wards.
