Tens of thousands of children to be treated in ‘virtual wards’ at home

Tens of thousands of children will be treated in “virtual wards” to free hospital beds for more critically ill patients under new NHS plans.

The Hospital at Home service will be expanded to include paediatric care in every region of England this month, the health service announced.

As part of the service, clinical teams review patients daily and can provide treatments including blood tests, prescribe medicines or administer fluids through a drip. Ward rounds can include home visits or a video call, and many services use technology such as apps and wearable devices to monitor recovery.

Professor Simon Kenny, the NHS’s national clinical director for children and young people, said: “The introduction of paediatric virtual wards means children can receive clinical care from home, surrounded by family and an environment they and their parents would rather they be — with nurses and doctors just a call away.” 

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Source: The Times. 5 July 2023