“Flo – Telehealth with a Human Touch”
Flo Telehealth with a Human Touch regional event held in Sunderland was attended by nearly 100 people from across Public, Private and Voluntary sectors. The event was funded by the North East & North Cumbria AHSN and The Health Foundation, and organised and hosted by Rachael Forbister, Sunderland CCG. Kim Hinshaw, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Director of Research and Innovation at Sunderland City Hospitals Foundation trust was the ‘Master of Ceremonies’ keeping the day on track and pulling together the speakers and the audience.
The day focused on showcasing the successes across the region in the adoption of Simple Telehealth. The event also saw the launch of the National Flo film Funded and produced by the Health Foundation which starred two patients from Sunderland.
A number of key note speakers addressed the audience sharing their stories of how they have used Flo. This included the regional pregnancy pathways led by Kim Hinshaw and Rahul Nayar, City Hospitals Sunderland Foundation Trust. The evaluation saw savings in the region of £98 per patient as well as a high patient satisfaction.
Phil O’Connell, the inventor of Flo, made the journey to Sunderland to support the event and looked at challenges, how to overcome the barriers of IG and to remind people of the community resources available for adopters.
Paul Marriott, AHSN, highlighted the 220+ pathways developed across the region and the need for local organisations to build the capabilities within their own staff to develop and maintain pathways!
Joan Pons Laplana, an inspirational speaker from Arden and GEM CSU, focused on change management, champions and social media. #flomania has delivered real change and gathered momentum.
Type 1 Kidz used a two pronged approach with peer support and Flo.
David Chandler , CFO Sunderland CCG, focused on the challenges and barriers and how to overcome them and how Flo stacks up both financially and is great for patients. This opened up the workshop on new ideas, any potential barriers and solutions to those barriers.
6 amazing super users and Flo Champions from across the region shared their stories. Gillian Lund – Breastfeeding, Gavin Cogdon – Move to Improve, Victoria Dunn – Social Isolation, Russell Mills – Parkinson’s Deep Brain Stimulation, Lisa Tate – Respiration Community matrons and Diane Jones – University Maternity Pathway.
Lisa Taylor, Senior Specialist Simple Telehealth, joined the event remotely with support from Karen Moore and her iPad. Using technology at its best!
The most important part of the day was supported with 5 patients who joined a panel discussion and shared their experiences of Flo. Alfie Elstob, Lauren Henderson, Nicola Beadnall, Elsie Hall and Sam Jassat. This helped the audience understand the difference Flo can make to patients. Alfie and Lauren were also thanked for starring in the film which has an international audience.
The event will be followed up with a regional Champions group who will meet 3 times per year to continue the excellent work and spread the word of Flo. They will also support people new to Flo through the community aspect of Flo.
Questions about Flo can be directed to lisa.taylor@simple.uk.net
#AHSN #TotallyUnique
