The HSE are in the process of rolling out Attend Anywhere nationally across the Republic of Ireland. Attend Anywhere is a safe, simple video conferencing tool, initially used in Scotland and now elsewhere that enables health professionals to continue to see patients, albeit virtually for a video call consultation during the current Covid 19 epidemic. This allows people to see their clinician or health care professional in a safe and timely manner.
The mPower teams based in both CHO 1 and of CHO 8 are working as core members of the National Virtual Health Team and are providing the training on how to use the platform nationally. In the last month alone, the team have trained over 1700 clinicians and health care professionals and continue the twice daily virtual training sessions. In addition, the team provide the support necessary to adopt Attend Anywhere at a local level, specifically within the mPower project catchment areas.
The mPower team were well versed in the use of Attend Anywhere through pioneering trials over the last several months in pockets of the service. Last November (2019) mPower set up the first trial to use the platform for a Pain Clinic in Sligo / Leitrim as well as for a ground-breaking virtual pulmonary rehabilitation exercise programme in Drogheda. In February this year a trial of virtual physio consultations commenced in Cavan Monaghan. In March before the Covid-19 crisis, the team also set up the Physiotherapy Team at St Joseph’s Community Hosp, Donegal.
Julie Bellew, Deputy IT Delivery Director for the HSE said “This rapid growth from only 2 active waiting rooms in April 2020 shows the dedication and professionalism at play here. A key enabler for us has been the openness and support from the Scottish Technology Enabled Care (TEC) team who have supported us throughout this process whenever we have needed it. I am so very proud of the work the mPower team are doing. Their flexibility and adaptability mean that this work will have a tremendous impact across the Country at this time. This is enabled by the creativity and innovation so evident from this collective partnership approach.’’
See here for a video of one of the Physio’s utilising the new service. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG-fb0G-mAU&feature=youtu.be