What’s on telly? Salford patients access clinical care on TV

Move over medical dramas, patients in Salford can now access clinical home-based support through their TV.

The innovative programme is being trialled by Salford Care Organisation on a small number of respiratory patients. Those taking part in trial can access home-based support by turning on their telly which then connects to clinicians through technology called ‘Konnect’.

Konnect allows clinicians to hold virtual consultations with patients via the TV screen. The system can even link to a range of monitoring devices such as pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors and thermometers, which can help monitor a patient’s condition.

So far 17 Konnect systems have been installed inside people’s homes. For one patient, Annie, it allowed her to connect with family for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.

Melissa Collinge, respiratory nurse lead at Salford Care Organisation, said: “It was so emotional for Annie to see her relative who she hadn’t seen for a considerable time, due to Covid.

“These connections are very important for people’s health and wellbeing and can impact on how their condition improves too.

“It’s so simple and is particularly good for older people who live alone – the beauty of it for patients is they have it in their living room to be used, as and when needed – it’s just like having Facetime on your TV.”

The programme was put in place to help people stay home and keep safe during the pandemic, as well as help them remain independent as they age.

Reminders flash up on the TV screen when patients need to take their medication or do regular exercises. It also directs them to specific exercise videos included in the Konnect system.

Konnect was developed by Irish tech company Kraydel and includes a set top device with an on-board camera and sensors and a remote control.

In addition to being able to connect patients with their clinicians, the technology can be used to send important alerts to carers and family of vulnerable patients.

Salford Care Org runs Salford Royal hospital and community services in Salford as part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group (NCA).