Northern Ireland

Belfast Trust launches Covid-19 virtual hospital to provide disscharged patients with `safety net'

Belfast Trust has launched a Covid-19 virtual hospital to help patients who have been discharged
Belfast Trust has launched a Covid-19 virtual hospital to help patients who have been discharged Belfast Trust has launched a Covid-19 virtual hospital to help patients who have been discharged

Belfast Trust has launched a Covid-19 virtual hospital in a bid to provide discharged patients with a "safety net".

It is hoped the new virtual service, which is run by a multi-disciplinary team including specialist nurses, doctors, the emergency department, Allied Healthcare professionals and primary care colleagues, will help keep admittance levels low and free up beds.

The service is for patients who have been discharged from hospital after being treated with Covid-19 or those who have the virus but are deemed able to manage it from home.

The team will check in with the patient from their homes via phone calls and there is also a 24-hour service that patients can access if they need advice.

Dr Louise McCorry, a virology and infectious diseases specialist, said having a Covid-19 diagnosis "can be stressful for both care givers and patients alike".

"Because of this, we have set up the Covid virtual hospital here at the Belfast Trust to provide a safety net for patients who are going home," she said.