Fight against Covid-19.
After much thought, deliberation and planning, the concept of the Equipod was born and then quickly put into action.
During the pandemic, the Equilibrium team were chosen to roll out our Infection Prevention Training nationally for the NHS and private sector staff. The Manchester Connect initiative set a standard in elderly care services; assisting frontline workers to cope with the effects of Covid-19 in care settings. Read more about Manchester Connect.
Whilst lockdown was a busy time for services, it did also give some time for reflection on the things we had previously taken for granted on how we practice and how this could change for the better in a world post COVID-19. It was this process which led the team within Equilibrium Healthcare to look at ways in which better access to professionals could be facilitated for patients at Jigsaw Hospital, in light of the specialist women’s service that was planned to open during this time.
After much thought, deliberation and planning, the concept of the Equipod was born and then quickly put into action. Due to be operational in 2021, the pod situated within the hospital’s new Wellness Centre is a virtual reality experience connecting patients to professionals and others involved in their care across the country, and even across the world.
Innovative technology, conceptualised by clinicians in collaboration with IT specialists has been used to create a bespoke service whereby patients can independently access the widest range of services within the safety of the hospital environment. Medical equipment connected through cutting edge video conferencing allows external professionals access to real-time health information such as BMI and BP without the need for face-to-face consultation, and provides future scope for services from optometry to cardiology to be offered from the comfort of the centre.
To allow for complete independence, the unique booking system allows the professional complete control of the appointment, with minimal need for support unless the patient desires this. Facial recognition technology will allow the individual to attend independently and screen outside the room explain how the appointment will be facilitated. If support is required from hospital staff during the appointment, the professional will have access to a dashboard that will alert the hospital of this with minimal distress to the individual.
Still very much a developing concept, there is further to go before the design reaches its full potential, but in allowing patients at Jigsaw to access services during the pandemic and beyond, the pod is a huge step forward in making first class healthcare available to all.
Related Articles
Five Years Since the Covid-19 Pandemic
As the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic is marked, we reflect on the unprecedented challenges, and the extraordinary efforts of our team in response. Moston Grange Nursing Home were asked to do something that, at the time, felt impossible—set up an intermediate care service for those affected by COVID-19. Hospitals were overwhelmed, and families were struggling to get updates on their loved ones. We had a newly refurbished unit ready with 16 empty beds, but the challenge was...
New dementia and complex health unit welcomes first service user
One week after opening our new dementia and complex health unit at Oakland House Nursing Home, we welcomed our first service user with complex needs. Before arriving at Oakland House, Adrian* spent a significant amount of time stuck in a hospital bed. There were no suitable placements available to meet his dementia and complex health needs. Something no one should experience due to the availability of suitable speciality social care beds. Alongside dementia, Adrian requires significant support...
Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued is at the heart of what we do. For Equilibrium Healthcare, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) isn’t just a box to tick; it’s woven into our everyday actions and decisions. Here’s how we’re embracing DEI to support our staff and improve care for our service users and tenants. Freedom to Speak Up Understanding comes from listening. To listen, we’ve developed programmes that enable our team to share their thoughts and experiences....