Commended by the pioneering clinical team as ‘world-class’, the international award-winning Lane Fox REMEO ® Respiratory Centre is the UK’s first purpose built complex respiratory centre. Combining the equipment of a high dependency unit with a therapeutic environment, the centre is a high-tech 20-bed satellite centre to the world-famous Lane Fox Respiratory Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital. In line with NHS England’s plans to develop specialist services, the Centre was delivered through an extraordinary collaborative effort to fill an acknowledged gap. Guy’s and St. Thomas’ and BOC Ltd brought the centre to fruition; BOC provided funding; East Surrey strongly supported the project, Murphy Philips Architects, AECOM & DD Porter delivered the centre; Guy’s and St. Thomas’ provides clinical expertise; REMEO Healthcare oversees nursing and staffing. The team managed to open the centre only 14 months after the partnership agreement was signed.
The centre provides access for more NHS patients for ‘weaning off’ invasive mechanical ventilation, improving recovery rates, freeing up intensive care beds and enabling patients to eventually return home. The centre is a major training resource, particularly benefiting local NHS staff, learning how to look after people requiring care at home.
The centre is a new model of healthcare, delivering virtual specialist care through innovative use of technology that will improve patient outcomes and experiences. Live video links and data transfer allows the NHS London team to review records, amend prescriptions, and speak with patients and staff.
A phased occupation is now underway and the first clinical successes have been presented at international conferences.