Community NHS therapist shortlisted for national digital award

Jon Rouston from Waddington, near Lincoln, has been shortlisted for the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer Awards (CAHPO) 2022 in the digital practice category for leading the development of virtual wards in Lincolnshire and championing the role of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs).

Jon is a Speech and Language Therapist who works as the Chief Clinical Digital Information Officer for Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS).

The CAHPO awards are for members of the AHP Community, to receive recognition for their personal contributions towards delivery of exceptional care for patients, for their dedication, innovation and leadership. The awards also promote adoption and dissemination of good practice delivered by AHPs.

Jon is one of very few AHPs in England to hold this post. His role is to engage all clinical staff in clinical-digital-data transformation. Jon’s nomination is for his leadership in developing virtual wards with other health and social care organisations.

Virtual wards provide hospital-level care and remote monitoring for patients who would otherwise be in hospital, either by preventing admissions or allowing them to return home sooner to continue their treatment at home.

In December 2021, the country faced a further wave of COVID-19, which led to significant pressures in hospitals, so it was clear that new virtual services were required. Virtual wards had mostly been developed for hospital services only, however Jon was instrumental in involving all aspects of health and social care as well as the ambulance trust.

Jon said: “The virtual wards were developed quickly. We recognised we could relieve pressures on hospitals and urgent care but also drive integration. The service was co-designed with staff across organisations, using tools such as online whiteboards to prototype and workshop the service design.

“I’m honoured and privileged to have made the shortlist and thank those who have worked with me to make the virtual wards a success.”

Angela Shimada, Deputy Director of AHPs and Operations, who made the nomination said: “Jon is passionate and inspirational in his role and advocates the benefits of working together to improve patient care and allowing people to be treated from home.”

Hundreds of patients have benefited from the virtual wards and feedback is very positive. Patients are delighted to go home sooner and are reassured by the care they receive. Staff say trust has increased between practitioners and across organisations, due to working more closely together. 

The winners of the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer Awards will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Thursday,13 October.