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On our recent panel, ‘What's next for virtual wards? Innovative new pathways for the NHS’, we were joined by frontline NHS experts who delved into how they’re exploring the art of the possible to deliver virtual wards across Leicestershire. They also shared challenges they’ve encountered along with way and how they’re extending virtual wards even further into clinical areas.
Our panellists also shared details of innovative pathways already in development across Leicester, including colorectal surgery, diabetes, asthma and community-acquired pneumonia. They also discussed future applications of virtual wards, like paediatrics and general surgery, as the innovation extends to clinical areas beyond frailty and respiratory.
From establishing the correct key performance indicators to choosing the right tech partner, our panellists covered the essentials to establish a virtual ward. One of the main themes was all about information sharing, whether that’s through a digital platform, or with colleagues.
"One of the things that’s helped is having SystmOne links, so that information can be shared so that we know what is happening with the patient. Communication is hugely important for establishing a virtual ward." – Baljit
Finding a good and trusted tech partner is also key to ensure a bespoke clinical pathway, tailored to the patient cohort’s needs.
"Not all virtual wards are the same"
"I think what is important to highlight is that you do need it to tailor it to the specialities. And if you have a rigid platform, which is basically just giving you a few things on there, then it doesn't allow you to innovate." – Baljit
From medication logistics, to not engaging primary care properly, our panellists covered challenges that they’ve faced when building virtual wards. Unsurprisingly a key challenge has been workforce and recruiting the right number of people to run the virtual wards.
"How can we provide hospital level frailty care when we don't have any geriatricians? That’s been a difficult one for us – the whole of workforce is difficult, especially within our community staff." – Tracey
Engaging clinical teams has been a priority throughout, with the NHS trusts adopting a ‘heart and minds’ approach. Showcasing tangible results for how virtual wards are helping patient outcomes and clinical experience can go along way for adoption.
"It's a new way of working"
"We've got to we've got to show them that this is good for patients that you know patients are safe and are getting good care." - Tracey
Both Tracey and Baljit are already exploring how virtual wards can be extended further into different patient cohorts. These will help to get patients home sooner as well as reduce patient re-admission rates.
"Virtual wards allow you to do things that you probably couldn't do before. We are trying to convert some procedures, where we’ve normally kept patients in for a few days, like a stoma closure, and move that towards a day case procedure where you can potentially have groups of people that could be done as a day case." – Baljit
This is just a snapshot of the hugely insightful discussion between our panellists. To access the full, hour long webinar, simply fill out the form and we'll share the recording with you.
.webp)
On our recent panel, ‘What's next for virtual wards? Innovative new pathways for the NHS’, we were joined by frontline NHS experts who delved into how they’re exploring the art of the possible to deliver virtual wards across Leicestershire. They also shared challenges they’ve encountered along with way and how they’re extending virtual wards even further into clinical areas.
Our panellists also shared details of innovative pathways already in development across Leicester, including colorectal surgery, diabetes, asthma and community-acquired pneumonia. They also discussed future applications of virtual wards, like paediatrics and general surgery, as the innovation extends to clinical areas beyond frailty and respiratory.
From establishing the correct key performance indicators to choosing the right tech partner, our panellists covered the essentials to establish a virtual ward. One of the main themes was all about information sharing, whether that’s through a digital platform, or with colleagues.
"One of the things that’s helped is having SystmOne links, so that information can be shared so that we know what is happening with the patient. Communication is hugely important for establishing a virtual ward." – Baljit
Finding a good and trusted tech partner is also key to ensure a bespoke clinical pathway, tailored to the patient cohort’s needs.
"Not all virtual wards are the same"
"I think what is important to highlight is that you do need it to tailor it to the specialities. And if you have a rigid platform, which is basically just giving you a few things on there, then it doesn't allow you to innovate." – Baljit
From medication logistics, to not engaging primary care properly, our panellists covered challenges that they’ve faced when building virtual wards. Unsurprisingly a key challenge has been workforce and recruiting the right number of people to run the virtual wards.
"How can we provide hospital level frailty care when we don't have any geriatricians? That’s been a difficult one for us – the whole of workforce is difficult, especially within our community staff." – Tracey
Engaging clinical teams has been a priority throughout, with the NHS trusts adopting a ‘heart and minds’ approach. Showcasing tangible results for how virtual wards are helping patient outcomes and clinical experience can go along way for adoption.
"It's a new way of working"
"We've got to we've got to show them that this is good for patients that you know patients are safe and are getting good care." - Tracey
Both Tracey and Baljit are already exploring how virtual wards can be extended further into different patient cohorts. These will help to get patients home sooner as well as reduce patient re-admission rates.
"Virtual wards allow you to do things that you probably couldn't do before. We are trying to convert some procedures, where we’ve normally kept patients in for a few days, like a stoma closure, and move that towards a day case procedure where you can potentially have groups of people that could be done as a day case." – Baljit
This is just a snapshot of the hugely insightful discussion between our panellists. To access the full, hour long webinar, simply fill out the form and we'll share the recording with you.
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