Virtual Ward service celebrates a year of keeping patients well at home
The NHS Community Virtual Ward service for Norfolk and Waveney launched on 18 Sep 2023. This innovative service allows patients to receive hospital-level monitoring and treatment at home, preventing avoidable hospital admissions.
In its first year, the service:
- Admitted and discharged 1,315 patients
- Helped 79% of patients discharged from the service avoid admission to acute or community hospitals
- Saved over 4,500 bed days in acute and community hospitals
The service, which is provided by Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust for patients registered with a GP in Norwich or West or North Norfolk, and by East Coast Community Healthcare in East Norfolk, has made a substantial impact on keeping patients out of hospital.
Many hospital services can be provided safely at home, and research shows recovery is faster in familiar and comfortable surroundings where patients can maintain their independence. Staying out of hospital also eliminates the risk of hospital-related complications.
Virtual ward care is managed by an Advanced Care Practitioner (ACP), working with other professionals such as doctors, nurses, and therapists. The service is appropriate for patients over 18 with conditions including respiratory disease, frailty, and heart failure.
Patients in any community setting, including community hospitals, residential care homes, and nursing homes, can also be referred.
Patients suitable for virtual ward care are trained to use a device that sends continuous or intermittent observations. This includes breathing, heart rate, and skin temperature readings. These are sent directly to the Community Virtual Ward team. If there is a sign of health deterioration, such as a rise in blood pressure, the team receives an immediate alert. Staff can then call the patient over the phone or via video call to discuss any health changes and decide on the most appropriate next steps.
Patients are typically under the Community Virtual Ward's care for up to 14 days, depending on their treatment plans and recovery.
Linda’s story
Linda was looked after by the Community Virtual Ward service after she was discharged from acute hospital care. Linda was referred to the service by her GP after a change to her medication led to complications.