Virtual Ward: information for patients
Welcome
Our virtual ward service provides wraparound care and support for people in their home. The service is provided by dedicated teams either in person, by use of technology, or both.
Read more about its benefits
This service can stop people going into hospital or help them leave hospital sooner with extra support. Delivering virtual ward services supports our local ambition of ‘home first’ by helping more people to be happy, healthy at home.
People really value this approach as they are more comfortable in their own home, they can see loved ones and pets when they want, and can carry on with their usual routines in familiar surroundings, which can really speed up their recovery.
Interactive Home Service Guide
We serve a diverse population in our district.
Different, ages, genders and ethnicities. You’ll see some of these faces in our first animation.
We then follow the journey of one of these elderly patients in our other films, but it’s the same professional and dedicated service for everyone.
Assessment
Read what the video is about
If you are suitable and are happy to receive care in the place you call home, then you will be referred to the virtual ward team. People can be transferred from hospital wards, accident & emergency (A&E) departments, and clinics or following an assessment at home.
Agreeing a plan
Read what the video is about
The virtual ward team will then discuss your personalised care and support plan with you, your family / carers (if appropriate) and your wider support network. This will include discussing whether you need monitoring with technology, any further investigations that might be required, your medications and the level of contact the virtual ward team needs to have with you.
Care at home
Read what the video is about
The virtual ward team will check-in with you as required and agreed as part of your personalised care and support plan Patients can also get in touch with the virtual ward team at any time by phone.
If you are using any technology devices, one of the virtual ward team will meet with you and take time to show you how they are used to safely monitor your health at home.
Monitoring your health
Read what the video is about
The virtual ward team will be alerted if you are not recovering or responding to treatment as expected. Changes to your care and support plan can then be made by your team without you having to return to hospital. For example, by altering your medication, providing additional equipment to aid with your recovery or visiting you at home.
Discharge or onward referral
Read what the video is about
Following the completion of your care, you will be discharged from the virtual ward. Your GP will be informed of the care and any medication changes that have taken place. We may also discuss referral to other community health and social care or voluntary sector providers with you, to support your ongoing needs.
Meet the team behind the animations
Animated graphics provide a quick way to get over a lot of information in bite sized chunks. The characters in the animations are based on real professional staff who work in our service. You can find out more about each of them by click on the video links.
The voiceover used in the animations, that explains key advice about our virtual wards, was presented and recorded by our own member of the team, Fiona. You might hear her voice again on a visit or over a phone consultation.
Chloe Wilson
Community Staff Nurse
Albena Dobreva
Healthcare Support Worker
Jenny Dawson
Senior Occupational Therapist
Andrew Harrison
Community Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Pathway information
Watch our patient story
Listen to Sarah, one of our experienced virtual ward practitioners, explain a bit more about the pathway before seeing how patient Kevin is supported by the team on a home visit. Debra describes their experience on the Virtual Ward and value of recovery and treatment at home.
Patient feedback:
“Everyone who came to our home was lovely and respectful. We were so grateful that this team was in place and were able to support with his antibiotics. Should my partner have had to stay in hospital for the duration of his treatment, it would have been very disruptive to our young family and would have had a significant negative impact on him mentally. Being at home meant that we were able to function much more normally as a family while he recovered and, for that, we will always be grateful.”
“Thank you to you and your team for providing the home treatment of the IV antibiotics I needed. A trip to hospital for me is always very painful and I would have fought long and hard to keep that from happening but, thanks to your team, I was able to get the treatment I needed at home.”
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What if my condition worsens?
The virtual ward team will be alerted if your condition worsens and you can also get in touch with the team at any time by telephone, using the number provided. Sometimes you may need to attend the hospital for more specialist investigations or more intensive treatment – the virtual ward team will organise this all for you and support you back home as soon as is safe to do so.
Which health and care professionals are part of the virtual ward team?
You will be looked after by a team of nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, carers support and doctors depending on your health and care support needs.
How long can the virtual ward team support me?
This depends on your individual assessment and health and care needs and will be discussed with you. Support may be for up to 2 weeks. We may discuss referral to other community health and social care or voluntary sector providers with you, to support your ongoing care.
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How do I get medication?
The virtual ward team can prescribe all your medications for you when you are on the virtual ward and new medications can be delivered to you if required.
