What is a Virtual Ward?
A Virtual Ward allows some patients to receive hospital care safely in their own home instead of staying in hospital. While on the Virtual Ward, you remain under the care of your hospital consultant and are monitored by a team of healthcare professionals. This may include daily telephone or video reviews and, where appropriate, the use of monitoring equipment at home.
The Virtual Ward helps patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, while remaining in familiar surroundings.
Health and Social Care Northern Ireland Virtual Ward definition:
“A Virtual Ward Service is an acute secondary care clinical pathway that delivers hospital-level care to selected patients in their usual place of residence. Patients remain under the care of the hospital as inpatients and receive daily remote review by the Virtual Ward multidisciplinary team, supported where appropriate by technology-enabled remote monitoring. The service supports the efficient use of hospital bed capacity by enabling selected patients to receive ongoing inpatient care at home, avoiding admission where appropriate and facilitating earlier discharge from a physical hospital bed”.
Who is this service for?
The Virtual Ward is currently being piloted for adults aged 18 and over who are receiving care from selected Royal Victoria Hospital medical specialties. Not everyone will be suitable for the Virtual Ward. Your hospital consultant will discuss this with you and decide whether it is a safe and appropriate option for your care.
Patients may be suitable if they:
- Require ongoing hospital care and monitoring
- Are medically stable
- Can be cared for safely at home
- Can engage with the treatment plan
- Have appropriate support available where needed
Every patient is assessed individually.
Why have I been offered a Virtual Ward?
Your consultant may offer a Virtual Ward if you still need hospital-level care but can safely receive that care at home. This means you can continue your recovery while remaining under the care of the hospital team.
Benefits may include:
- Recovering in the comfort of your own home
- Remaining close to family and carers
- Avoiding or shortening a hospital stay
- Reduced risk of hospital-acquired infection
- Greater privacy and independence
- No hospital visiting restrictions
- Less travel for patients, families and carers
- Improved overall patient experience
How can I be referred to the Virtual Ward?
Patients cannot refer themselves to the Virtual Ward. Your hospital consultant will decide whether the Virtual Ward is suitable for you based on your condition and clinical needs. The decision will be discussed with you and, where appropriate, your family or carers.
How does it work?
If you join the Virtual Ward:
- You may be provided with equipment such as a blood pressure monitor or pulse oximeter (oxygen monitor).
- You may be asked to complete questionnaires through the My Care app
- A member of the virtual ward team will contact you regularly by telephone or video call.
- Your observations and symptoms will be reviewed by the Virtual Ward team.
- Your consultant will oversee your care and review your progress.
Any changes to your treatment plan will be discussed with you and recorded in My Care. If your condition changes, additional support can be arranged and, where required, you may be brought back into hospital for further assessment and treatment.
How long will I be on the Virtual Ward?
The Virtual Ward is designed to provide short-term hospital care at home during your recovery. The length of time varies depending on your condition and individual needs.
I have equipment from the Virtual Ward – how do I return this?
Any equipment provided remains the property of Belfast Trust.
The Virtual Ward team will explain how and when equipment should be returned when you are discharged.
If you are unable to return equipment yourself, a family member or carer may do so on your behalf. Alternative arrangements can be made where required.
What support will I receive when joining the Virtual Ward?
Before you transfer home, the Virtual Ward team and you doctor will:
- Explain how the service works / your care plan
- Help you register for My Care if required
- Show you how to use any monitoring equipment
- Provide contact information and user guides
- Answer any questions you may have
The team will continue to support you throughout your Virtual Ward stay.
CONTACTING THE VIRTUAL WARD
24 Hours, 7 days per week
☎ 028 9615 3311
In a medical emergency, always call 999
Frequently Asked Questions
Click the questions below to find out more about some of the questions you may have:
- My Care – how do I register for this?
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What is Care Companion?
Care Companion helps and reminds you to share information about your health with the Virtual Ward team using My Care.
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What should I do if my symptoms get worse?
If your condition changes or your observations cause concern, the Virtual Ward team will assess you and decide what support is needed.
If hospital care is required, such as readmission to hospital, arrangements can be made directly through the Virtual Ward team without attending the Emergency Department.
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What do I do if my medication runs out?
The virtual ward team will discuss your medication supplies with you when leaving the hospital.
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Should I take my GP medication when I’m home or just the hospital medication?
You will be advised by the team on how to manage your medications.
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I usually have Community Nursing visiting me at home and Trust carers, will they be made aware I am on a Virtual Ward?
Community teams will be aware that you are under the care of a virtual ward.
Other sources of information and support
- Belfast Trust Carers Service: Carers’ Services | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust website
- Community Nursing: Community nursing | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust website
- My Care Guides from Department of Health: My Care – DHCNI