Virtual wards combine the use of virtual care technology with face-to-face care provision to ensure patients can be cared for in the comfort of their own homes, while still receiving the same standard of care, including diagnostics and treatment.
The launch is part of one of the largest integrated virtual ward programmes in the UK, powered by the Feebris technology. The initiative spans four trusts across the Norfolk & Waveney ICB and is onboarding approximately 500 patients each month and still growing.
Dr Yanny Delgado, consultant paediatrician at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and clinical lead for the paediatric virtual ward, said: ‘The paediatric virtual ward (PVW) is the first service in the region designed under the principles of equitable access to specialist care for acutely unwell babies, children, and young people, which empowers parents or carers to take physical observations using a remote digital monitoring kit at home and, together with their remote clinicians and the educational package provided, collectively evaluate the progression of their child's recovery.
‘The PVW process is supported and guided by robust pathways and guidelines that identify suitable candidates, optimising digital patient safety and aiming to provide safe care at home for children who, in other circumstances, would be admitted to the hospital.
‘This innovative service is clinically delivered by experienced and knowledgeable paediatric Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs), who review the digital dashboard and regularly contact families for welfare and progress updates, supporting their ongoing care plans until the child is well enough to be discharged.
‘The PVW was created under the NHS constitution principles of Patient Choice and High Quality of Care, which children and young people are also entitled to, and it has become a highly praised service among parents.'
Dr Elina Naydenova, chief executive and cofounder of Feebris, added: ‘By partnering closely with the ICB and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, we are providing children and their families the comfort and security of receiving high-quality care at home, playing a crucial role in enabling faster recovery and supporting their overall wellbeing. We are excited at the prospect of what we can achieve through our partnership with the QEH team, continuing to scale the service to reach even more patients."
The Feebris virtual care technology is deployed in more than 150 sites across the UK, spanning care homes, primary care facilities, community nursing and virtual wards.
