The Virtual Ward is a GP led model which champions multi-agency working to care for people in their own home and prevent hospital admission. Older and frail patients, and those with complex care needs, can be referred onto the Virtual Ward and monitored more closely by a range of health and social care professionals including GP's, Nurses, Occupational therapists and Social Services. Voluntary Sector services are important in terms of supporting people within Virtual Wards and forming stronger links with GP surgeries.
The Virtual Ward model has been piloted in South Powys for nearly two years and was recently named overall winner of the NHS Wales Awards, as well as scooping the Improving Quality through Better Use of Resources Award. Due to this success, it is being rolled out now to GP surgeries in Mid and North Powys.
Currently, Powys Broker Service is representing the wider voluntary sector at each of these Virtual Ward meetings in the North as it develops. In Mid Powys, a few organisations share representation of the sector across the Virtual Wards and we hope that this format may be replicated in the North as developments progress.
Powys Broker Service also represents the voluntary sector within Powys People Direct which is a telephone hub for Social Services providing a single point of access for information, advice and referrals. The Broker Service works very closely with staff to ensure that, where needed, citizens have access to and knowledge of local community voluntary support services.
If you would like more information on the work of the Brokers or are interested in supporting their work at Virtual Wards, please contact Claire Powell or Anne Clark on 01597 828 649 or email broker@pavo.org.uk
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