Not all patients have access to or wish to use phones, the internet or digital technology. Here are some tips on how to help such individuals during a pandemic.
Learning from the pandemic about how to support those without access to 'telehealth' includes:
- Patients living at home who have COVID-19 or Long Covid symptoms can access advice about nutritional support via their GP surgery website or by contacting them by telephone
- Ensure GPs and A&E staff are fully informed of whether patients are recovering from COVID-19, as well as anyone interacting with them. Where appropriate, include patient discharge letters from the hospital if they have been hospitalised due to COVID-19
- Clinicians and/or nurses who triage could find out how many people with COVID-19 there are in the practice and how they are getting on. They can also flag up issues with GPs when relevant. According to CG-32 (NICE) it is important to screen for malnutrition
- Healthcare staff who have first patient contact (e.g. nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists) to disseminate information about appropriate evidence-based resources. To know more, see our useful resources on identification and assessment
- Telephone help lines (e.g. NHS 111)
- Publicity through: TV and radio ads or interviews in relevant shows
- Leaflets in public areas: pharmacies, waiting rooms, supermarket, schools, gyms. Post these to patients
- Healthcare worker home visits and agencies
Useful Knowledge Hub links
- Referring to a dietitian and other AHPs in the NHS: Assessing patients' nutritional needs and setting realistic goals during COVID-19 recovery
- Links to self-management tools: Assessing patients' nutritional needs and setting realistic goals during COVID-19 recovery
- Monitoring patients during their COVID-19 recovery