Two years after the launch of virtual wards more people are receiving care at home

An initiative in Suffolk and north east Essex that provides care in people’s home, saving them the need to go into hospital, has treated over 7,000 patients since it was launched two years ago.

Virtual wards provide patients with specialist and personalised hospital at home services for conditions such as heart failure, respiratory illnesses and acute kidney injury.

Patients can be referred by their GP or community team (avoiding admission) or transferred from a hospital ward to continue their care.

On a typical virtual ward, a patient is cared for by professionals who provide a range of tests and treatments (including intravenous medications and antibiotics). 

They are reviewed daily by the clinical team and the ‘ward round’ may involve a home visit or take place through technology and other medical devices enabling clinical staff to monitor patients in real time through the technology provided to them.

The innovative, wearable monitoring device measures the patient’s vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels.

Dr Vivian Yiu, clinical lead for the virtual ward at Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board said:  “Virtual wards enable patients to be treated in their own home while maintaining as much independence as possible.”

“By leaving hospital sooner or avoiding it altogether, patients reduce their chance of deteriorating as a result of lengthy periods in bed or contracting other illnesses and infections.

“In many cases, patients prefer to be at home with their loved ones instead of in hospital, which can also be beneficial to their recovery.”

Dr Yiu added: “At our hospitals in Suffolk and north east Essex we offer virtual wards for a range of specialties.  I recommend if anyone thinks they might be suitable to be treated on a virtual ward to contact their GP or their care team.”

More information about virtual wards can be found at www.england.nhs.uk/virtual-wards