Coronavirus: How St Mary's treatment centre in Milton is adapting for the future

St Mary’s NHS Treatment Centre in Milton has converted four rooms for specialists to see examine patients virtually via video chat to reduce footfall in the centre and expose to Covid-19, as well as avoid travelling and waiting times for patients.

Hospital director Penny Daniels said: ‘By offering initial consultations and some follow-up appointments, using a secure version of video-conferencing with excellent cameras, people can avoid travelling to the centre and spending time waiting for their appointment.

‘This will protect them and other patients from unnecessary exposure.’

Specialisms using the telemedicine will include urology, minor orthopaedic, dermatology and general surgery.

Following an initial assessment patients will be invited into the centre for treatment, following a Covid-19 test.

Head of nursing Alberto Anajo said: ‘We have already used it for about 25 patients as a test and we are ramping it up in the next few weeks.

‘We know it won’t work for every patient in every case but it means specialists can see patients in a safe way for everyone and patients don’t need to travel here and wait for their appointment. It is all in the comfort of their own home,’

Alberto added: ‘I think it is also moving us towards the future of healthcare and other places are beginning to use it for both patient and staff benefit.

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‘Our staff have been really good at adapting to it all and it has meant that employees who are vulnerable or worried about coronavirus can work in the telemedicine department and use their skills with limited interactions so they feel comfortable.’

Outpatients manager Siziwe Turner added: ‘We are delighted to be able to offer this to our patients.

‘Anyone with ingrown toenails, ganglions, lumps and bumps as well as certain skin conditions can be safely and effectively assessed.

‘By making this investment we are keeping our patients and staff safe and helping to protect Portsmouth from additional cases of Covid-19.’

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