Patients in north Cumbria have been giving excellent feedback after being on a virtual ward.
A virtual ward is a safe alternative to being in a hospital bed. The team supports patients (who otherwise would be in hospital) to receive the care and treatment they need in their own home. This includes either preventing avoidable admissions into hospital or supporting early discharge out of hospital. North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) currently provides virtual wards for respiratory, frailty and cardiology patients.
The service runs seven days a week and specialist nurses use technology to monitor observations as well as telephone reviews with patients. There is a daily meeting to discuss all patients on the virtual ward and the team can do home visits for reviews, blood tests, patient education and technology support.
The benefits of virtual wards include:
- Patients are less likely to acquire an infection when treated on a virtual ward compared to an acute hospital
- Patients are less likely to experience decline in function while on a virtual ward compared to being in hospital
- Patients are less likely to fall when they are in their familiar home surroundings
Carlisle patient Brenda Stalker has shared her experience on the frailty virtual ward. She said: “I have low blood pressure so I am prone to falling and I have been a patient on the virtual ward on and off for the past year. I was unsure if I would be able to use the equipment they gave me but it is so easy to use and the team is on the other end of the phone if you need them. The team has sorted things for me such as my medications which I had found difficult to resolve in the past and they explain everything so well, I never feel like a nuisance.
“It is so much better being able to stay at home because I can sleep in my own bed and get a good night’s sleep without the noise of the hospital. I can use my own bathroom, make a cup of tea whenever I want and my friends and family can visit whenever they can too which makes a big difference. I feel safe at home because I know where everything is and I also know the virtual ward team are keeping a close eye on me.”
Leanne Armstrong, Clinical Lead for the frailty virtual ward at NCIC, said: “The NHS 10 year plan is focused on providing more care for patients in their homes as we know it leads to better outcomes for the majority of people. For frailty patients, it is important they can stay as mobile as possible which is harder if you are in a hospital bed. It is also best to stay in a familiar environment which reduces the risk of falls and is better for overall mental health. The word ‘virtual’ can be scary for older people but our patients are generally surprised at how easy the kit is to use and we are here to help if anyone is stuck.
“We are really pleased with the feedback we are receiving and the number of people we have helped to stay independent and be cared for at home.
“We have just had a recruitment drive so we are looking forward to expanding our service further in 2026.”
Over the past 12 months, the frailty team has admitted 157 patients with only 6 of those patients being re-admitted to hospital.