More than 30 patients at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge have swapped a stay in hospital this month for care at home on a virtual ward.

Patients on a virtual ward can be monitored constantly, with their vital signs recorded through the day and night thanks to smart phone apps, technology platforms and wearable medical devices.

At the same time, a team of senior nurses check in with patients up to four times a day by phone or video call, with face-to-face care from community-based teams also available.

Patients on virtual wards can also come in as day patients, for blood tests, scans or IV therapy.

By freeing up hospital beds, the virtual ward helps to improve the flow of patients through Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), easing pressure on the emergency department and reducing waiting times.

A wide variety of patients can be looked after on the virtual ward, from patients with respiratory, gastro and frailty conditions to recovery from cancer treatment, neurosurgery and organ transplants. 

All patients are carefully selected to make sure their needs can be safely managed remotely.

Gemma Czech, who is the lead nurse for the virtual ward, said: "Our team includes a range of expertise including senior nurses and physiotherapists and links directly with consultants and specialist clinics from across the hospital as well as services in the community.

"We are there for patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring they get the best care, in the best place for them. If any of our patients has any concerns, or just needs some reassurance, we are always available to talk to on the phone."

The virtual ward enables patients to benefit from the comfort of their own surroundings, sleeping in their own bed, eating their own food and being in the company of their family, friends and pets.

Being at home often speeds up patients' recovery and reduces the risk of hospital acquired infections.

Anaesthetist Dr Iain Goodhart, who leads the virtual ward programme at CUH, said: "With the NHS under so much pressure, we have to embrace new ways of working and adopt strategies and technology that enable us to deliver care differently, in a way that liberates patients and maintains quality.

“Being able to remotely monitor patients at home is an important development but it must be combined with round the clock access to human contact, whether on the phone, on a video call or in person.

"That is why CUH virtual wards are staffed by a dedicated and experienced team, to maintain that vital personal contact and the best quality of care."

CUH's director of improvement and transformation Dr Ewen Cameron said: "Our virtual ward is part of a raft of measures at CUH to ease pressure on capacity.

"These include innovations in our day surgery unit, enabling more patients to return home within 24 hours, working more closely with partners in primary care and across the local health system and a renewed focus on recognition, retention and support for staff."