New West Essex Virtual Hospital Service

A new virtual hospital service has launched in west Essex for adults over the age of 18 years, giving them more choice around where they can receive care.

The service launched in early December 2022 and allows patients with specific conditions to be cared for at their usual place of residence, including care homes. Vanessa Wakefield, deputy director of the West Essex Care Coordination Centre, said:

“The virtual hospital is a safe, alternative way of allowing patients with specific conditions to receive the same treatment they would otherwise receive in hospital.

It’s just like being on a ward but they’re in the comfort of their own home and being monitored from a distance, with face-to-face care as needed. Patients who have used our service have told us they appreciate the support and care they receive, and being given the choice to recover at home.”

Patients receive a mixture of face-to-face care and remote monitoring by a team including consultants, advanced clinical practitioners, nurses, therapists and pharmacists. They are also supported by other specialist teams and social care, depending on their individual needs. Patients can be admitted to the West Essex Virtual Hospital Service for up to two weeks but will be referred for further care if their needs change at any point during that time which could include being referred to hospital. They will also be referred for further care as needed once they leave the care of the virtual hospital team. If the individual has identified care needs, support can be deployed quickly through the close working relationship the service has with adult social care. People will only be referred to the virtual hospital service if their condition and individual circumstances mean it is a suitable option for them.

Patient Joyce Kirstein, 79, had received hospital treatment for pneumonia and partial kidney failure. She was referred to the virtual hospital service by her GP after being discharged. Joyce was pleased with the fast response she received from the team. She received her initial appointment and remote monitoring equipment on the same day. Joyce, who prefers being at home than in hospital, said: “I think it’s amazing. The slightest change in the figures and I get a phone call asking ‘are you alright’? I was so nervous of it in the beginning. When the equipment came and it was in the box I felt overwhelmed. I just do it automatically now, I don’t think about it.” For more information, email: epunft.communications@nhs.net

The West Essex Virtual Hospital Service operates seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. Patients can contact the team at any time during those hours. Outside of those times, they can call 111, or 999 in an emergency, if they need help. Clear and concise information is provided to patients along with a written information leaflet explaining the above. Patients can be referred to the service by their GP, clinicians at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone.

Community information

Sing & Sign baby classes community information

Are you over 60, disabled or in receipt of benefits? Voluntary Action Epping Forest can help. Fitting grab rails and keysafes, securing carpets, changing light bulbs, hanging pictures and much more. No job is too small. If you are in doubt, give us a call and ask if we are able to assist. As a charity we can provide reasonable competitive rates. Our friendly team are experienced and police checked. Call: 01992 910701 for a quote. Email: admin@vaef.org.uk

Epping Hall and the Jack Silley Pavilion

Regular activities at Epping Hall

Mondays – Tai Chi, Perform Children’s drama, Rock Choir

Tuesdays – Community Dance

Wednesday – Women’s Institute (once per month), Children’s karate, Adult’s karate

Thursday – Sing and Sign, Art Class, Singing Bowls (around once per month)

Friday – Yoga Hatha, Children’s ballet, Adult’s ballet, Epping at the Movies (approx 10 screenings per year)

Saturday – Epping at the Movies (around 10 screenings per year)

Sunday – Life Church

Regular activities at the Jack Silley Pavilion

Mondays – Baby Ballet, Art Class, Illusions

Children’s Dance

Tuesdays – Basking Babies, Illusions Children’s Dance, Home Educator’s Meeting (once per month)

Wednesday – Phonic Stars, Chair yoga

Thursdays – Action for Family Carers

Fridays – U3A Art class, Illusions Children’s Dance

Saturdays – Epping Forest School of Dancing

Children

Both halls can be booked for private parties, wedding receptions, meetings and events. www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Stonards Hill recreation ground tennis courts

Don’t forget Stonards Hill recreation ground has its own tennis courts which can be booked for free public play during the daytime, paid for floodlit games in the evenings and for coaching with our coaching partner David Watson Tennis. Courts can be booked via Club Spark.

https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/StonardsHillTennisCourts www.everythingeppingforest.co.uk