Bernard Ross, chief executive and founder of Sky Medical Technology, explains how virtual wards can meet the demand for healthcare services in the years ahead.
Due to the number of precautions that need to be taken to protect patient health and to reduce potential risks, the healthcare sector has typically been slow to adopt new technologies and solutions, particularly compared to other industries. However, during the pandemic, the industry actively embraced innovation and saw wearable devices, digital health tools and telemedicine deliver important care, helping to alleviate the pressure on the NHS at a crucial time.
More recently, the NHS has deployed virtual wards, also known as “the hospital at home”, to monitor and care for patients remotely. An alternative to hospital care, virtual wards hold the promise of being able to improve recovery and reduce the length of a patient’s stay in hospitals. However, to get the most out of the scheme, and to ensure healthcare professionals can provide effective and convenient care, the industry should continue to look to medtech solutions that can empower patient self-management.
The rise in chronic illnesses
Staff are under increasing pressure to keep reducing costs, maximise their resources and increase efficiency while still meeting patient expectations. The healthcare industry experienced a surge in demand during the pandemic and remains under pressure to deliver timely and effective care. This has resulted in the NHS facing a backlog of millions of patients, with high occupancy rates and an increase in ambulance waiting times. In 2024, the NHS delivered a record 370 million GP appointments, up 4.5% compared with 2023.
A significant proportion of this demand can be attributed to the treatment of chronic conditions. In 2018, chronic and long-term conditions accounted for 50% of GP appointments and 70% of hospital beds, and these rates could be higher now. Meanwhile, in England alone, more than 15 million people have a long-term health condition that requires ongoing treatment. This shows no signs of slowing down, with an estimated 35% of the adult population above 50 years of age projected to have at least one chronic condition by 2035.
The introduction of virtual wards
With pressure building on the NHS to deliver timely care to patients, the rollout of virtual wards is enabling healthcare professionals to manage rising rates of chronic conditions. Currently, patients who need more urgent care are less likely to receive the treatment they need due to a lack of capacity in hospitals. By utilising virtual wards, patients who previously would have been in the hospital can now be treated at home. With the NHS’ plans of reaching net zero by 2045, virtual wards will also play a significant role in reducing home visits by nurses and the carbon emissions associated with frequent travel.
Virtual wards enable patients to be supported at home via smart connected devices that keep healthcare professionals informed about those in their care. By staying at home, patients can access consultations on their computer or phone and be treated that way alongside necessary – but less frequent in-person visits. This improves healthcare accessibility, particularly for patients who are unable to attend in-person appointments at the hospital due to certain medical conditions or transport issues.
How medtech is empowering patients
As the virtual wards programme expands, innovations can be adopted to improve the standard of care in the home setting. In particular, leveraging self-application devices can inspire patients to manage and take charge of their own care. When used correctly, patients can improve healing and recovery rates. As their condition improves, the reliance on regular checkups can become less frequent. This gives community nurses and carers more time to deliver care to more patients.
In addition to self-application devices, wearables can further enhance virtual wards by remote monitoring. This allows patients to stay at home, spending more time with family and other local networks, which contributes to improved well-being and recovery.
Remote solutions, however, should not be a substitute for in-person healthcare delivery. For example, health reviews can often be more effective when delivered in person. Therefore, human intervention should continue, albeit less frequently, to ensure efficient healthcare delivery. In some cases, remote solutions may not be suitable for the patients, especially for those who may be mentally compromised, not computer literate or lack a close network of support.
Transforming modern healthcare
Healthcare systems are constantly evolving and so is adopting new models of care and technologies to help make the lives of patients easier and the jobs of medical professionals more efficient.
Virtual wards are among the latest innovations changing the face of healthcare and hold significant promise in meeting the demand for healthcare services in the years ahead. The first generation of virtual wards saw NHS England meet its target of 10,000 beds by the end of 2023, showcasing their position as a permanent addition to the UK healthcare landscape.
This innovative approach allows clinical teams efficiently to monitor patients through automated text check-ins and diverse communication tools such as automated text check-ins, and phone and video calls. By using hospital-at-home technology, combining hospital-grade continuous monitoring devices and a command centre hub for data and resources, even more patients can be treated safely at home.
Relieving this pressure and tackling waiting lists is no simple task. Deploying virtual wards to do some of the heavy lifting is a huge step in the right direction for the industry. With continued advancements in medtech and data analytics, virtual wards will play a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare.
