Trust shortlisted for IT award
The trust’s IT department has been shortlisted for a national award for its work helping families stay in contact with their loved ones during the pandemic.
The virtual visit app was used across 66 covid and non-covid wards when visiting restrictions were enforced to minimize the potential spread of the virus.
The app, which allowed patients and families to communicate via a video link, was set up after former director of IT Sonia Patel appealed to tech firms via social media to help find a solution.
NHS Book a Virtual Visit was created by Made Tech in collaboration with the trust, St Mark’s Foundation and volunteers. allowing hospital staff to easily and quickly schedule calls between a patient and the loved one, with minimal data needed to support the call.
Staff simply added the family or friend’s details into the service which automatically send an SMS to them, stating when their virtual visit was booked for. They then received a unique link to join the call at the agreed time.
Made Tech built a free prototype of the app within 48 hours
Dr Anu Obaro from St Mark's Hospital said: “Together we were able to develop an app that was simple to use and has been invaluable in reconnecting loved ones at a time when physical visits were completely restricted.
“The team of volunteers that went to the wards to support and arrange the calls were literally 'Comms Champions' and it was such a rewarding experience to be able to make hundreds of videocalls at at time when patients needed it most."