Patients can be referred by their GP or community team (avoiding admission) or transferred from a hospital ward to continue their care.
On a typical virtual ward, a patient is cared for by professionals who provide a range of tests and treatments (including intravenous medications and antibiotics).
They are reviewed daily by the clinical team and the ‘ward round’ may involve a home visit or take place through technology and other medical devices enabling clinical staff to monitor patients in real time through the technology provided to them.
Monitoring devices measure the patient’s vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels.
Who provides this service?
In Norfolk, virtual wards are provided by Norfolk Community Healthcare.
In west Suffolk, virtual wards are provided by NHS West Suffolk Foundation Trust.
In east Suffolk, virtual wards are provided by NHS East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust
More information about virtual wards can be found on the NHS England website.
