The announcements about the introduction of virtual NHS wards come after extended periods of worsening waiting times, slow ambulance response rates, and crises in the social care sector, coupled with thousands of patients being stuck unnecessarily in hospital wards due to the lack of support to help with the transition back home.
Virtual wards are subject to some degree of controversy between clinicians, debating the efficacy and real-world impact of the plans. Guardian Angel Carers, an award-winning network of home care franchises, has provided its perspective on how these reforms might impact their work and that of other home care providers.
NHS Virtual Wards: A Summary
In some areas, virtual wards are already in place, while in others, they are expected to be rolled out over the coming months. The premise is to provide care and supervision remotely, with the patient remaining or returning home.
Trusts expect that virtual wards will facilitate the discharge of medically fit patients, free up beds for urgent use, expedite average recovery times, and avoid hospital admissions where not clinically necessary.
NHS England's targets indicate that it intends to ensure that all care systems have the capacity to manage the care of 40 to 50 patients virtually per 100,000 people. Initial goals to establish 10,000 'beds' in virtual wards by late last year have been met.
Hospital healthcare teams will use technological monitoring to trace each patient's recovery and progress, such as pulse oximeters and connected apps. Individuals are either asked to report their latest readings or data, or this is automatically collated from a wearable device.
Depending on the patient, virtual wards are designed to either act as an interim or alternative method of receiving care before or instead of hospital admission or as a step-down level of care following discharge.
Potential Impacts of Virtual Wards on the Home Care Sector
Vikki Craig-Vickers, MD of Guardian Angel Carers, says, ‘Virtual wards have the potential to bridge the gap for millions of people and families living in our communities, especially those who are well enough to return home but cannot live completely independently and need more time to recover after an illness or surgery.
In general, any large-scale movement to improve the standards and accessibility of community-based care is positive, as we speak to countless people who are worried about the safety and well-being of a partner, parent, or loved one or find they seem to fall between the cracks.
That said, like many home care providers, there are distinct concerns, including around the short-term allocation of funding, which makes it very difficult to foresee whether virtual wards will continue to be rolled out, how they will be financed longer term, and what that means for individuals who rely on the support provided.
Likewise, it is crucial never to ignore the value of companionship and in-person help, as we know that a staggering 1.4 million older adults in the UK report constant or regular loneliness. Isolation can be as debilitating as any health condition, and remaining at home but isolated from friends, social groups, and the community can be a very serious issue.
Our CareAngels provide a wide range of home care services, but domiciliary and companionship care are among the highest demand. Particularly, older people with limited mobility rely on friendly, warm carers they know and trust to keep their homes tidy and clean, pop in for a welcome chat or catch-up, or simply make sure each person is comfortable and has everything they need.
Virtual wards may solve some of the capacity challenges in NHS wards. Still, we advise caution about perceiving them as a universal solution or presuming that virtual care is the right fit for every patient.’
Further Feedback About the Introduction of Virtual NHS Wards
Alongside these insights from a home care position, other experts and commentators have noted the possible problems around inequality due to the reliance on digital tech and how demographics with typically lower engagement with mainstream healthcare services may be further distanced from finding the help they require.
Others have noted that, for virtual wards to have the impacts intended, there needs to be greater clarity around the policies and procedures to be followed and criteria against which a virtual ward patient will be flagged as needing greater support or supervision—either in their home or in a hospital setting.
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About Guardian Angel Carers
Guardian Angel Carers is a leading home care provider dedicated to delivering compassionate, personalised care services. With a strong focus on independence, dignity, and quality of life, the company supports individuals in the comfort of their own homes, offering a range of services from companionship to complex care needs.
Media Contact:
Vikki Craig-Vickers
03333 660550
www.gacarers.co.uk
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Source Company – https://www.gacarers.co.uk/
Published by: Steve OBrien