Key information about patients with heart conditions who are being monitored remotely is now being securely shared through the London Care Record (6 June 2023).

This is helping to ensure that other frontline staff who are treating the person have the information they need when they need it. This helps to inform their clinical decision making and improve the quality, safety and speed of the care the person receives.

The London Cardiac Remote Monitoring programme began in 2022 aimed at reducing the risk to patients who are on the cardiac surgery waiting list and to help speed up the time it takes for them to prepare for and recover from surgery.

It uses technology from Ortus-iHealth to remotely monitor patients in a virtual ward while they are waiting for, or recovering from, their surgery. The system is used by a number of London hospitals including St Bartholomew’s, Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College, St George’s, Royal Brompton, Harefield, Imperial College, and The Royal Free.

To date, over 2,000 patients from across London and neighbouring areas are being monitored through the Ortus platform. It is really important other healthcare professionals who might be involved in their care, including GPs and ambulance teams, can see this information when they need it.

As a first step health and care staff in north west and south west London, as well as Milton Keynes, can now view this information through the London Care Record. Other staff across the Capital and other neighbouring will be able to access it in the coming weeks.

The London Care Record is a single and secure view of a person’s health and care information and includes any conditions which a person has, their test results, medicines, allergies and plans for their care. It is currently being used by approximately 55,000 health and care staff in London and some neighbouring areas per month. Only staff involved in a patient’s care are allowed to access the information.

Dr Sanjay Gautama, Clinical Informatics Lead for London, Consultant Anaesthetist, Chief Clinical Information Officer and Caldicott Guardian for Imperial College Healthcare Trust NHS and North West London Integrated Care System, said:

“The implementation of the Ortus cardiac remote monitoring across London’s cardiac networks has significantly advanced patient care and management by allowing the cardiac surgery teams to optimise care at home and prioritise surgery based on risk. It is also absolutely vital that the information is available to any healthcare professional treating these patients to deliver holistic and joined up care. So it is great news this information is now visible to clinicians through the London Care Record – another important step in improving the quality, efficiency and safety of care for patients across the Capital and beyond.”

Dr Debashish Das, Consultant Cardiologist at Barts Health NHS Trust and CEO of Ortus-iHealth, said:

“Integrating Ortus’ virtual ward and remote monitoring platform with the London Care Record is a significant milestone, not only for us as a company, but also as a fundamental part of our continued partnership with NHS organisations in London and beyond. This integration will ultimately empower patients and healthcare teams alike, enabling the proactive monitoring of, and early intervention with, deteriorating patients, whilst ensuring that our services are aligned with local, regional, and national data strategies.”