Our Community Virtual Ward in Derbyshire has looked after its 5000th patient.
The service began in 2020 during the Covid pandemic, initially to look after patients with respiratory illness who needed urgent care but not necessarily a hospital admission and it has evolved since then.
Anne from Chesterfield became the team’s 5000th patient, Virtual Ward Clinical Lead Emma Wardale said: “It’s incredible how far we’ve come in a short space of time. Our virtual ward model is precisely in line with the vision and aims of the NHS long term plan in terms of innovative alternatives to hospital care.
“Just take the number of falls patients we care for, more than 1,500 in the year between March 2025 when we started the falls pathway and the end of August 2026. Before our virtual ward programme, the majority of those patients would have been taken to hospital but more than 92% were enrolled onto our virtual ward meaning less than 50 of those patients needed hospital treatment. That’s great for our patients and for the wider health system.”
When Anne fell at home, East Midlands Ambulance Service responded to treat her and give her the choice between a hospital admission and the CVW, textbook partnership working. In Anne’s own words…
“I overbalanced at the foot of my bed and hit the top of my head on the radiator; my daughter found me and rang the on-call doctor who sent for an ambulance. The paramedics checked me over, treated my injury and asked if I wanted to go to hospital or be referred to the CVW who would help to look after me at home.
“That sounded good to me and someone from the CVW called very early the next morning, carried out an assessment over the phone, checked my breathing was okay, my balance as well and then came to see me for a face to face check.
“They were very thorough, taking my blood pressure, heart rate and so on. Because I’d had a head injury, I was told I would ordinarily have been taken to hospital, but this service meant they could come and provide care through a combination of over the phone observations and visits from one of their nurses.
“One of the things they were concerned about was the pain in my chest which was caused by the strain of me trying to get up. But this, along with my head injury was treated outside of hospital which was something I was very grateful for. Being able to stay at home where I’m comfortable, it’s quiet and relaxing, knowing that I have help at the end of the phone, was very impressive and ideal from my point of view.
“I didn’t know this service existed before the paramedic asked me about it. It was just brilliant and all so seamless, I felt very well cared for and I’m sure the paramedics had other emergencies to go to without having to take me to hospital. We’re very lucky to have this available to us in Derbyshire, they made me comfortable, confident and I’d like to thank all of them for being there for me.”
You can read more about the Community Virtual Ward and how they have developed over the years by clicking here.
Publish date: 24 September 2026