DHU Healthcare’s Community Virtual Ward programme has become a key component of DHU’s winter plan, supporting patients and services in Derbyshire.
The service provides vital care to patients whose condition has the potential to deteriorate, helping to keep them out of hospital and serving as a valuable alternative to traditional hospital care.
The Community Virtual Ward is a program that brings healthcare services directly to patients through virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and regular check-ins. It's an innovative, patient-centred approach that allows individuals to receive care in the comfort of their own homes, retaining their independence and enabling them to make a smoother recovery.
Key source of support
Since the end of 2022, the ward has looked after almost two thousand patients, with less than 50 of those transferred to hospital, showing its worth during the cold winter months when demand on hospital beds and health services is high.
Emma Wardale is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at DHU’s Virtual Ward, she said: “I am excited to be a part of the innovative Derby and Derbyshire Community Virtual Ward. It’s a pioneering healthcare service designed to offer patients the support they need without leaving their homes. By using the latest digital tools and technology, we can provide high-quality care, monitor health progress to reduce hospital admissions, leaving more bed capacity for those who need it the most.
“We are able to provide our patients with wearable devices and home-based technology, so that we can track a patient’s vital signs and health metrics including their heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. These observations can then be shared with healthcare professionals.
Expert Advice at Home
“We have a specialised team of health professionals who work together to monitor patient progress, adjust treatment plans, and ensure continuous care. This regular contact ensures that patients continue to receive expert advice and timely interventions without needing to travel to a hospital or clinic. This leads to faster recovery in a familiar environment with less disruption to their daily lives.”
“The Community Virtual Ward is ideal for patients experiencing a flare up of a chronic condition or infection, those recovering from surgery or illness, or anyone needing close monitoring and support Patients with varying health needs have benefitted from this method of treatment and found it to be an important part of their treatment, recovery and understanding of their condition. For hospitals, it is another important option that they can consider when planning a patient’s early discharge.
“As an organisation, DHU is committed to making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and patient-friendly and supporting the wider health system however we can. The Community Virtual Ward is an exciting step toward achieving this vision.”