Combined Virtual Reality (CVR)

Combined Healthcare is proud to launch a new addition to its portfolio of communications products and channels - Combined Virtual Reality (CVR).

Combined Virtual Reality harnesses the latest innovations in communications tools and techniques.

Virtual reality is an experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. Applications of virtual reality include entertainment, education, medical training and business (such as virtual meetings). Other distinct types of VR-style technology include augmented reality and mixed reality, sometimes referred to as extended reality or XR.

Virtual reality systems use either virtual reality headsets or multi-projected environments to generate realistic images, sounds and other sensations that simulate a user’s physical presence in a virtual environment.  A person using virtual reality equipment is able to look around the artificial world, move around in it, and interact with virtual features or items. 

The effect is commonly created by VR headsets consisting of a head-mounted display with a small screen in front of the eyes, but can also be created through specially designed rooms with multiple large screens. Virtual reality typically incorporates auditory and video feedback, but may also allow other types of sensory and force feedback through haptic technology.

Delirium Training – our first CVR output

To mark international World Delirium Awareness Day on 16th March 2022, we are proud that our first CVR output was a highly innovative training VR film to help frontline healthcare staff create conversations, increase understanding and empathy towards those with delirium and encourage us all to ‘think delirium’.

The film places the viewer inside the head of a patient with delirium in a hospital bed.  We see what the patient sees, hear the thoughts in her head and experience some aspects of what delirium causes her to see.   This includes delusions that staff are conspiring to poison her and fellow patients and dispose of their bodies, that the building is under attack and that air raid sirens are going off.

The staff caring for this patient are unaware of these thoughts and perceptions and they struggle to understand why the patient is behaving as she does, so they respond in a less than helpful way.  They also forget to place back her glasses or to turn on her hearing aide, adding to her distress.  Eventually, a member of staff DOES recognise her distress and comes to her help.  

You can watch the training video below either through a VR headset (such as Oculus Quest) or in a normal web browser, using drag and move to experience the 360 degree effect.

Robbie Williams in VR!

The culmination of our REACH 2022 Awards was this special version of Angels – performed by Robbie Williams and the dDeaflinks Choir – presented here in a special Virtual Reality format.

Before the song, Robbie paid this tribute to the wonderful staff of North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust.

Combined VR – the next steps

The Delirium Training Video is only the first step in Combined Healthcare’s vision for its CVR offering.  Over the coming weeks and months, the Trust will be bringing forward:
  • Virtual Reality walkthroughs of its clinical areas and services, so that potential service users and their families can learn about the care they will receive and facilities available before entering treatment
  • Virtual Reality Recorded and Live Events – to enable the widest possible participation from people and communities for whom attending in person might be difficult or inconvenient
  • The Lawton Hub Virtual Room – a hugely innovative digital space, featuring state of the art digital walls, to deliver a stunning new experience for events, meetings, inductions, Organisational Development and training activities.

Commenting on the Trust’s CVR vision, Chief Partnerships and Strategy Officer, Liz Mellor said:

“One of the jewels in the Combined crown is our passionate commitment to – and brilliant track record in – the very best in digital communications and engagement.  So it’s no surprise to see us pushing the boat out in our adoption and use of Virtual Reality.   This latest innovation joins a growing list of similar innovations, such as our entirely digital 2021 REACH staff awards, our pioneering use of digital avatars and, of course, our Podcast – “Combinations”.

 “And we’re not stopping there.  The coming year will see us deliver a slew of fantastic developments in our adoption of use of Virtual Reality.  It’s a fantastic and exciting prospect to anticipate.”