VC use in Haemophilia Network

The Inherited Bleeding Disorder Service supports over 1,000 known patients, the vast majority from birth to death. The patients are monitored regularly but many do not require intensive clinical input – only when trauma occurs or they have surgery. Patients are spread throughout south Wales, with many having a long journey to their nearest clinic.  

To support the smaller Swansea site, the project explored if video consulting (VC) could be used to establish VC MDT’s or could provide a platform for staff groups to communicate together across the Inherited Bleeding Disorder Network. Ways that VC could be used to support the Network included providing a platform for nurses to shares processes and policies, new staff could be hired from outside of the current sites and VC could help new staff avoid travelling as they started their role.   

The project also wanted to test using VC to hold clinic appointments with patients, saving their travel time as patients are across Wales and often hours from a Network site. In addition, if a patient experiences a bleed, then additional treatment is needed however there is variance between each patient that can lead to sub optimal treatment (both by over treating or under treating). The correct management of these bleeds however leads to improved outcomes for patients as well as reduced cost. VC clinic appointments were seen as an opportunity to improve patient adherence to prophylaxis and bleed treatment, improving their long term outcomes and reducing additional treatment and surgical interventions. 

This project initially aimed to trial for a year and, if successful, would be made permanent. The business case for this project outlined the establishment of outreach clinics in Carmarthen, Aberystwyth and at a later date include Betsi Cadwaladr sites. 

At the time, no other Inherited Bleeding Disorder Service in the UK used VC appointments.  

Project Aims 

• Reduce number of patients needing to attend the centre in person 
• Reduce travel time for patients 
• Improve MDT (multidisciplinary team) experience for clinicians 
• Increase support for potentially isolated colleagues in the Inherited Bleeding Disorder Network 
• Potentially create improved outcomes and cost savings if bleeds can be treated more appropriately 
• Assist in facilitating the growth of the Network 
• Reduce travel time and costs for staff 
• Enable management of an increased number of patients efficiently