The NHS continues to face its perennial problem of an increase in patients experiencing delayed discharges – whereby someone is deemed medically fit to leave hospital but cannot be discharged. This is due to a range of factors, the most common being the limited capacity in social care (particularly care that can be accessed immediately), as well as poor hospital processes and challenges accessing other NHS services in the community. Reversing this trend needs to become a priority and promoting the widespread adoption of virtual words should play a key part in transforming patient aftercare. Here’s why… 

The problem with institutionalisation

When patients are hospitalised for extended periods of time, they face several challenges that can negatively impact their health and wellbeing, especially for frail or elderly patients. For example, prolonged stays can increase the risk of falling, as patients may become weaker and less mobile over time. Catching infections and sleep deprivation are also common in hospitals due to a constant influx of patients and constant noise and interruptions, which can further exacerbate a patient’s condition.

However, long-term institutionalisation also highlights a pressing issue of patients getting lost in the healthcare system. With patients spending extended periods in hospitals, their family members may become accustomed to not having to care for their ill relatives. This can cause difficulties when patients are ready to be discharged and return to their homes as the right procedures and formal care may not be in place. The adoption of new policies and working systems with the help of new technologies can ensure patients remain a priority in the healthcare system.

The role virtual wards can play in easing pressure 

Also known as a hospital at home, virtual wards play a critical role in breaking down institutionalisation – easing the growing pressure on hospitals and improving patient care. That’s why it was fantastic to see this point included in 2023’s NHS England’s Delivery Plan. Not only can they help to decrease hospital waiting times but, importantly, they also help to provide better care for patients and their families in the comfort of their own homes. 

The social care sector has a key role to play in driving alternative and on-demand models of care. Digital alternatives to in-person care such as virtual wards can, when used effectively, provide more convenience, reach more people, and become a more efficient way to deliver care remotely. Critically, they also help towards facilitating patients’ early discharge or avoidance of hospital admission altogether. By working together, the healthcare system and the social care sector can use care on demand and virtual wards to provide more efficient and effective care for patients. 

However, for virtual wards to be successful, new technologies must play a significant role. Technologies such as apps, wearable technology and telecare can enable carers to monitor patients 24/7. Remote intelligent monitoring and predictive analytics also give them an accurate overall picture of a patient’s wellbeing to design better care programmes in advance, rather than spending too much time during an in-person appointment on data capture.

Also critical to the success of virtual wards is the availability of experienced carers. That’s where technology can help too by giving patients almost instant access and greater choice to vetted, skilled carers. Whether care is being funded by the NHS, local authority, or privately by the individual / their family, digital platforms now offer a better way compared to traditional care agencies for sourcing care on-demand and facilitating timely discharges.   

Widespread adoption is critical 

The pressures facing the NHS including delayed discharges, shortage of beds and a strain on workforces have intensified the need for virtual wards, making the widespread adoption of this approach to aftercare much more urgent. By adopting new technologies, facilitating care on demand will become the norm – not only easing pressures on our healthcare system but providing more personalised, thoughtful experiences that put the patient at the heart of care. 

Jody O’Neill, CEO and Founder at Curam