HUNDREDS of patients are receiving hospital-level care at home through the use of ‘virtual wards’.

More than 1,700 patients received care in 395 ‘virtual beds’ in Hampshire between September and December 2022, for health concerns ranging from falls to respiratory conditions and heart failure.

Virtual wards use new technologies including wearable devices, smart devices, oxygen and blood pressure monitors which provide real-time information on a patient’s vital signs through apps to a dedicated, remote team of healthcare professionals.

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This technology enables them to monitor their patient’s condition and direct care and support, either virtually or face-to-face if and when needed.

Virtual wards enable healthcare professionals to provide support and treatment to eligible people in the community who would otherwise be in a hospital bed, allowing patients to receive the care they need in the comfort of their own home, or continue their treatment at home after a stay in hospital.

Virtual wards are now evolving to manage a wider range of medical conditions that would otherwise be treated in hospital, particularly for frail patients and those with acute respiratory infections.

Jim Harold, 76, from Basingstoke, is one patient who has benefited from a virtual ward.

He said: “I had a fall about a week ago and I had treatment at home, the same as I would have had at hospital and I preferred it that way as I was more relaxed…

"I had good interaction with the nurses and when you get that interaction and the personal touch it makes all the difference.”

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Research shows that virtual wards improve patients’ outcomes and the journey of patients through the wider health and care system by helping to prevent avoidable admissions into hospital and support safe and timely discharges.

Colleagues working across the NHS in the south-east met at a virtual ward summit to share their learning about different virtual ward models across the region.

The summit was chaired by Lena Samuels, chair of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB), who was joined by fellow ICB chairs, a range of clinicians, managers and other experts.

Lena said: “The summit exceeded expectations and truly showcased the fantastic work that’s been happening to implement virtual wards and provide hospital-level care in people’s homes.

"I am proud of the progress that we have made across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight offering hundreds of people who would otherwise have been in hospital the opportunity to be treated in the comfort of their own home.

"At the summit we also shared vital evidence that these are genuinely making a difference to people’s lives.”

The number of virtual ward beds more than doubled between September and December 2022 as the scheme rolled out across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Virtual wards will continue to increase the hospital-level care available to patients at home whilst reducing demand on hospital beds.