The HSE’s National Virtual Ward Programme is thrilled to announce the successful launch of the first two Virtual Wards. As of the end of Q2 2024, this innovative new service is now available at St Vincent’s University Hospital and University Hospital Limerick. This milestone marks a significant step in our commitment to supporting patients by expanding our virtual services and leveraging digital technologies.
The programme is a priority deliverable of the HSE Urgent and Emergency Care Plan and the National Service Plan. These Virtual Wards are the first of their kind in the Irish healthcare system, representing a ground-breaking advancement in patient care in the Republic of Ireland.
Watch our video to learn more about how Virtual Wards will support safe, patient-centred healthcare at home (YouTube)
What is a Virtual Ward?
A Virtual Ward is a safe and efficient alternative to HSE bedded care that is enabled by technology. Virtual Wards support patients who would otherwise be in hospital to receive the acute care, monitoring and treatment they need in the comfort of their own home. This innovative approach allows patients to stay under the care of the hospital team while benefiting from the comfort and convenience of their home environment.
A Virtual Ward is not a mechanism intended for enhanced primary care, chronic disease management, proactive deterioration prevention, or social care for patients medically fit for discharge. While these areas may make use of telehealth and remote monitoring, they do not fall under the scope of Virtual Wards. Instead, Virtual Wards specifically cater to patients requiring acute care that would traditionally need an in hospital stay. Patients in a Virtual Ward receive the same level of medical attention from a dedicated team of healthcare professionals using advanced remote monitoring technology.
The value and impact of Virtual Wards
Virtual Wards aim to support patients to get home from hospital sooner. Technology can support suitable patients to recover at home through 24/7 monitoring, while remaining under the care of the hospital team. Patients who transfer to a Virtual Ward have shorter inpatient hospital stays, meaning hospital beds are freed for other patients who need to remain in hospital. Virtual Wards are expected to have a positive impact on patient care, staff experience and hospital capacity. Read more about how Virtual Wards work and their benefits for patients.
What are the benefits for staff?
The Virtual Ward Model also offers significant benefits to staff. High levels of staff satisfaction have been reported in pilot sites. The Virtual Ward model facilitates more one-to-one patient communication and care, presenting an opportunity for staff to expand their skillsets, particularly around virtual patient care.
What are the benefits for our healthcare system?
Virtual Wards contribute significantly to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery by providing high-quality hospital care for patients, expanding hospital capacity, and alleviating pressures on the hospital system. .
The Virtual Ward is a new initiative in Ireland. System wide benefits of the service in Ireland are not yet fully established. A robust performance reporting and monitoring process is being implemented to track and monitor system impacts. Internationally, health systems report an increase in overall efficiency, with increased bed capacity (without the need for additional physical infrastructure), enabling a more efficient allocation of resources, and improved bed management and patient flow.
Innovation and Digital Transformation
In line with the Department of Health’s recently published ‘Digital for Care: A Digital Health Framework for Ireland 2024-2030', the implementation of Virtual Wards is harnessing the power of the latest digital technologies and innovation, to improve access to care for patients as well as expanding capacity, increasing efficiency and productivity, and reducing costs.
Programme Governance
The programme is a collaborative initiative bringing together a range of stakeholders including:
- Strategic Programmes Office
- Technology and Transformation
- National Clinical Programme Respiratory
- National Heart Programme
- St Vincent’s University Hospital
- University Hospital Limerick
HSE enabling functions include:
- Communications
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Development
- National Health and Social Care Professionals Office
Patient representatives are involved in the design and development of the service.
The programme is led by Prof. Richard Greene, Chief Clinical Information Officer and Deirdre McNamara, Director of Strategic Programmes.
Goals and Impact
The HSE National Virtual Ward Programme aims to:
- Establish Virtual Wards in two acute hospital sites initially at the end of Q2 2024 and evaluate for impact
- Develop an agreed operating model (including clinical pathways) for Virtual Wards for national deployment
- Oversee technology procurement and deployment for Virtual Wards
- Develop an integrated national plan for Virtual Ward roll-out to further sites in 2025 (following completion of a robust evaluation and subject to investment).
Contact
If you have any questions about the National Virtual Ward Programme, please email: StrategicProgrammes.CCO@hse.ie
For press queries, please contact the HSE National Press Office by email at press@hse.ie or by phone at 01 921 3912
