Homes turned into ‘virtual hospitals’
The drive for virtual wards is central to the 42 new local “integrated care systems” formed across England in the biggest restructuring of the NHS for a decade.
Virtual wards are a new concept in the NHS. They are a way of bringing together patients who are in hospital and their loved ones who are not. Virtual wards can be used for patients who are in hospital for a long time, or where there is an urgent need to reduce bed occupancy.
Up to 50 virtual wards will be set up in every region of England as remote monitoring – where patients can use technology to keep an eye on their condition from home – becomes more widespread. Over 280,000 people already used remote monitoring at home and in care homes for long-term conditions in the last year and a further 500,000 people could be better supported in this way by March 2023, as part of the government's Plan for Digital Health and Social Care.
Why are they being introduced?
Virtual wards are being introduced for a number of reasons: to reduce patient waiting times, to improve patient experience, to improve patient health, to improve patient satisfaction and safety in the hospital.
Reducing waiting times: A new study shows that virtual wards can reduce waiting times by up to 50%. Patients can be seen at home or work, allowing them to avoid long waits in A&E and other parts of the hospital.
Improving patient experience: Virtual wards have been shown in many studies to dramatically improve patients' experiences. By allowing them more control over their own care and treatment plan as well as providing access from home rather than having a fixed location for appointments it reduces stress levels for both patients and doctors alike which can lead to better health outcomes overall.
How do they work?
Virtual wards are a way to use technology to coordinate care for patients in hospitals. The idea is that the care of patients can be improved by having healthcare professionals working together in one place—even if they're located in different parts of the country or world.
In fact, virtual wards are not just another way of improving patient care; they also allow nurses and doctors from different parts of the NHS to work together on cases over long distances. The result? Better coordination between different medical teams within an organization, as well as increased collaboration between organizations.
Who will be involved in the new scheme?
You might think that a virtual ward is just for patients, but that's not true. In fact, there are many different people who will be involved in this new scheme.
The way that this new system will affect the patient experience is still unclear, but it will definitely have an impact on how doctors see their jobs and how they interact with patients. It also has implications for nurses as well as other staff members such as receptionists or administrative assistants who may not interact directly with patients every day.
Who will benefit from this scheme?
The Virtual Ward will improve the quality of healthcare for all members of your family. You, as a patient, will be able to see your doctor and other healthcare professionals in their natural habitat—their office or clinic. Your doctor will be able to provide you with more personalized care than he or she is able to do at an overcrowded hospital ward.
The benefits don’t stop there! The Virtual Ward’s remote capabilities allow providers access to additional information they wouldn't have been able to get otherwise: online health records and specialist advice from colleagues who have worked with them before (or even read their articles). This helps ensure more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatments overall!
Any downsides to the scheme?
Virtual wards are a great initiative, but there are some downsides to be aware of:
Some patients may not be able to benefit from the scheme as they don't have access to the internet or other means of communication.
Some patients may feel isolated by being separated from their peers and family members.
Some patients may feel like they are being treated as a number. The system is designed for maximum efficiency, so if your healthcare team doesn't know much about you, it can feel impersonal and clinical.
Some patients may feel like they're not being listened to because they're not physically present in person with their healthcare team and therefore cannot express themselves through body language or facial expressions easily enough for someone who hasn't met them before (especially if English isn't their first language).
The goal is for patients will have access to their medical records and the ability to speak to their doctors and nurses via video calls. This will allow them to better manage their illnesses, monitor their health, and stay updated on their treatment plans.