Dutch Health Minister's State visit to Rathmore House Care Home

Her Excellency Conny Helder, Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport visited one of our care homes, Rathmore House, in Swiss Cottage on 27 March, to find out more about our best practices using new technologies and systems to provide integrated care services for our residents.

Phill Wells, CEO for North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB) joined the visit and along with other health delegates, discussed how technology such as “Whzan”, vital signs remote monitoring, and “Ally” motion sensors, can benefit the health and care of our residents. Rathmore House has 20 bedrooms and provides residential care, without nursing, for older adults including people living with Dementia.

There were very positive and interesting discussions about the benefits of using the monitoring and diagnostic technology and how remote access to community clinicians (geriatricians) for triage can reduce the number of falls and unsettling hospital admissions and provides early diagnosis and holistic reporting.  This all helps to provide a better understanding, early diagnostics and preventative measures and overall quality of care.

In 2022, the North Central London Integrated Care Board approved an initiative to set up the Silver Triage system, bringing together London Ambulance Service and NHS trusts. Silver Triage enables specialist doctors (geriatricians) to advise and guide ambulance paramedics in assessing older people living in care homes. The doctors can also help to remotely access and coordinate community services to provide care at the home if a resident does not need to go to the hospital.

The Ministerial tour included a visit to the Wellbeing Bus, a bus that visits care homes in the community and supports the health of our carers. The Wellbeing Bus provides health checks for the care staff, who may not otherwise have time to visit the GP or prioritise their own health and wellbeing.

By integrating these innovative services and communications within our care home and community, we are helping our residents and staff to lead a better quality of life.