Virtual Wards & Hospital at Home Explained

NHS England Push For Virtual Wards

Recently, a £200m in funding was announced for the purchase of care beds with the intention of use in ‘Virtual Wards’ & ‘Hospital at Home’ environments. This fund will allow local healthcare authorities to buy community care beds and comes on the heels of a £500m fund announced in late 2022.

With an increased recent focus on health and social care equipment in the community; we look at virtual wards (also known as hospitals at home) & their potential benefits to patients, as well as some care equipment needed for the ‘Hospital at Home’ model to run effectively.

“Up to 20% of hospital admissions can be avoided with the right care” – Health & Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay

This push to buy care beds is part of a wider effort by NHS England that requires Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) across the UK to “deliver on virtual wards”; but what is the exact definition of a Virtual Ward?

What is a Virtual Ward?

A Virtual Ward is a safe and efficient alternative to NHS bedded care that delivers technology enabled healthcare services away from a traditional healthcare facility such as a hospital ward; often in a patient’s own home or usual place of residence including hospices and care homes.

“Virtual wards allow patients to get the care they need at home safely and conveniently, rather than being in hospital.” – NHS England

Virtual Wards can monitor a range of conditions including but not limited to:

• Osteoporosis, Frailty & Falls Recovery Treatment
• Wound Care & Pressure Injury Management
• Respiratory Illnesses & Infections
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
• Diabetes
• Oncology
• Mental health
• Learning disabilities

Source: vivid.care