Patients rate new at-home Covid-19 treatment five stars out of five

The first patients in BSW to benefit from a new at-home treatment for Covid-19 have spoken highly of their experience.

Hundreds of people across the region have so far had their Covid-19 diagnosis treated remotely via the Oximetry @Home service, which monitors the oxygen levels of clinically vulnerable patients through a mobile device.

The collected data is sent to clinical teams for review, who then contact patients if there are any concerns about oxygen levels.

Ninety-seven per cent of the 157 patients who used Oximetry @Home in December 2021 said they would give their experience five stars out of five, with the other three per cent awarding four stars.

Dr Ruth Grabham, Medical Director at BSW CCG, said: “Not only does Oximetry @Home allow us to keep our beds reserved for the very sickest Covid-19 patients, but it also helps to reduce the number of positive coronavirus patients coming into our hospitals, who could potentially pass the virus on to staff and other patients.

“Of course, the biggest advantage is that patients are able to stay in the comfort of their own home, and to hear that so many people have had a positive experience of the service so far is just fantastic.”

One recipient of Oximetry @Home described the service as amazing, and said it proved to be a lifeline to the outside world when her husband, who also had Covid-19, was admitted to hospital.

She said: “I’m not sure what I would have done without you. Your daily phone call was like a ray of sunshine, and I would look forward to it so I could speak to someone and feel reassured.”

Currently, only patients who are thought to be most at risk of becoming seriously unwell with Covid-19, such as those aged over 65, pregnant women and people with a learning disability, are offered the new at-home service.

People who are eligible will be contacted by their GP practice, either through a text message or phone call, with the oxygen-monitoring device, known as a pulse oximeter, then delivered to their home.

For more information on Oximetry @Home, as well as the Covid-19 vaccine, visit www.bswccg.nhs.uk.