Since its inception in 2021, over 5,000 patients have used the Virtual Ward at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, saving more than 41,000 bed days.
The Virtual Ward reached its 5,000th patient milestone at the beginning of November.
This has helped the hospital to improve Urgent and Emergency care flow and reduce pressure on in-patients areas, one of their key priorities in the “Best Care for Every Patient” programme.
“This is a fantastic achievement for both the Virtual Ward team and the whole Trust – it shows that the Virtual Ward model is working, with many more patients being treated at home rather than in hospital,” said Mike Waters, Virtual Ward Operational Lead.
The Virtual Ward monitors patients remotely using technology (Feebris). Patients can be monitored continuously or intermittently, depending on their condition. The kit is set up for the patient, so they do not need to be tech-savvy. The team can manage IV antibiotics, dressings, blood monitoring, facilitate inpatient diagnostics – essentially, any patient not requiring a physical inpatient bed can be managed at home. All patients are discussed during the Consultant Ward round.
Emily Wells, Chief Nurse Information Officer, who has overseen the Virtual Ward since its inception, said: “5,000 patients is a huge milestone in our Virtual Ward journey and means so much to many of the staff involved, past and present. We continue to grow and develop, and this is testament to the immense dedication of the VW team.”
Hannah Shakesheff, Virtual Ward Staff Nurse, said: “This is a brilliant achievement, and we know from talking to our patients that they much prefer being in their own homes and feel safe knowing we are here and monitoring them 24 hours a day. I love that we have 1:1 time with our patients via video call, so we can get to know them, understand their needs, and offer a holistic approach to their recovery.”
Annabella Vagilidad, Virtual Ward Staff Nurse, said: “We know what the service offers to our patients – a personal approach where the patient can be in their own home, eating their own food, and sleeping in their own bed, all while knowing they are being safely monitored and are fully involved in their recovery. The service is growing every month, and we have patients requesting to go onto the Virtual Ward now, which proves it is both safe and popular with our patients.”
