Patients across Lancashire and Cumbria will benefit from an innovative new service designed to transform the diagnosis process for patients showing signs of an acute stroke. Using a new high-speed, fibre optic network from Virgin Media Business, 15 specialist doctors will now use video conferencing to assess out-of-hours patients directly from their homes. In addition to huge patient benefits, the project is expected to save the NHS over £8 million a year.

The new service will give patients much faster access to out-of-hours care across the geographically diverse population of Lancashire and Cumbria. Speedy access to specialist care increases the chances of early diagnosis and ensures that stroke victims are treated with the specialist medication, Thrombolysis, as quickly as possible.

Over 4,000 people suffer a stroke in Cumbria and Lancashire each year. Using the Virgin Media Business network, specialist doctors will now be able to deliver quicker care, by consulting patients remotely using digital video conferencing via a secure router in the consultant’s home.

From each router, the doctor will link up with a live video and audio conference system, where they can see and speak to the patient in the hospital. They will also have access to an Image Exchange Portal, where they can view the patient’s CT scan and medical records. This information will be used as part of a virtual face-to-face consultation, to assess whether the patient is suffering from a stroke and if they should receive the Thrombolysis treatment. A portable video conferencing tool called a Telecart will be positioned at the patient’s bedside in A&E or in some cases, the stroke unit. Virgin Media Business has worked in partnership with infrastructure and security specialist Imerja to develop the bespoke service.

It is estimated that with the increased opportunity for early diagnosis:

• 24 more patients will survive a stroke each year than without the new service
• 40 more patients are expected to recover with no symptoms or significant disabilities
• 30 less patients per year will require full-time care
• As a result, there will be an annual estimated cost saving of £6.6 million in local social care

The new service will deliver standardised care across eight hospital sites in Lancashire and Cumbria: Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle; West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven; Furness General Hospital, Barrow; Royal Lancaster Infirmary; Blackpool Victoria Hospital; Royal Preston Hospital; Royal Blackburn Hospital and Southport General Hospital. The network will enable patients in smaller hospitals to access the highest quality care, regardless of location.

Dr Paul Davies, Consultant Stroke Physician, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust and Lead Stroke Clinician for the Telestroke Network, said: “For some patients who have a stroke, treatment with a clot busting agent, called Thrombolysis, can be very effective and can lead to reduced levels of disability.

He continued: “Thrombolysis treatment can only be given to patients within 4.5 hours of the onset of their stroke so time is core to this treatment and Telestroke will help improve the speed of patient diagnosis. We are using technology to take the stroke specialists to the patient, rather than moving the patient long distances, around rural areas, to where the specialists work. In an acute stroke, time is of the essence and the sooner treatment can be provided, the better.”

“The roll out of this project is an incredibly exciting achievement. To make this pioneering vision a reality, it was critical for us to invest in the right technology,” said Gus Hartley, Head of Northwest SIS at NHS. “Virgin Media Business is the only provider that could deliver the complete package that we needed, to give our doctors the tools they require to diagnose patients remotely. As a result, we’re in a position to meet some of the challenges our medical staff face and deliver high quality, cutting edge healthcare that will benefit both our patients and our staff.”

“Technology is right at the heart of how healthcare is delivered,” commented Mark Heraghty, Managing Director at Virgin Media Business. “We have created this service specifically to help Lancashire and Cumbria meet one of its most significant medical challenges head on. It’s a great example of where technology can deliver value – both for patients and healthcare organisations struggling with resourcing. Not only is it helping to solve an existing problem now, this new network will support how healthcare is provisioned in the future – a truly exciting prospect.”

The project will include the delivery of a private IP VPN. It will connect doctors with core infrastructure supporting High Definition (HD) video and audio including a hosted VC Gatekeeper, directory service, HD multi-conference bridge and recording appliances.

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About Imerja

Imerja is a specialist provider of IT infrastructure, IT security and business communications services to organisations in both the public and commercial sectors.

With headquarters in Bolton and further offices in Market Harborough and Elstree, Imerja’s expert team delivers to customers nationwide. The Imerja Security Operations Centre (ISOC) provides 24x7 monitoring, support and rapid response services.

Please see www.imerja.com and follow @Imerja.

About Virgin Media Business

Virgin Media Business has the UK’s only nationwide fibre optic network, carrying 35 per cent of all business broadband traffic. Already able to reach 85 per cent of businesses in the UK, Virgin Media Business has the ability to connect to all organisations. The largest business-to-business brand in the Virgin group, it prides itself on delivering innovative, high quality solutions that breakdown the barriers facing UK businesses today.

Staff are located at 40 offices across the country, meaning that Virgin Media Business really is closer to its customers. Organisations working with Virgin Media Business include London City Airport, Nottingham Building Society, Arqiva, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership and South West Water.

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