Acute virtual wards treating heart patients at home

The acute virtual ward service has been launched across the trust's hospitals, including at Peterborough City Hospital

An NHS trust has launched a new acute virtual ward for stroke patients and people with heart and respiratory conditions to receive care at home.

The virtual wards scheme is being trialled by hospitals across England to try to alleviate pressure on emergency wards and ambulance services.

NorthWest Anglia Foundation Trust (NWAFT), which runs Peterborough City Hospital, Hinchingbrooke Hospital and Stamford and Rutland, said up to 20 patients per day are choosing to join the virtual service.

A consultant-led clinical team has treated more than 250 patients since December.

Patients can send their blood pressure, temperature and other medical readings to the hospital nurses who monitor the patients remotely

The service offers recovering patients a chance to return home with simple devices for measuring vital signs like blood pressure, blood oxygen level and weight.

Patients supply readings up to three times per day and receive regular check-in calls from nurses.

They spend an average of four days on the virtual ward before being discharged or transferred to primary care.

Dr Deyo Okubadejo, lead clinician for virtual wards, said: “There are far more benefits for patients who are medically appropriate to be monitored and regularly contacted from the comfort of their home, rather than in a hospital bed.

"These include patients being less likely to acquire an infection or experience a decline in functionality if they are in their own home surroundings.

“Our virtual ward is able to provide the safety and security of professional clinical care, provided within a familiar and safe setting for the patient."