National virtual ward system promised in 10-Year Plan

The government will procure a single virtual ward system to underpin its promised “neighbourhood health service”, the 10-Year Health Plan has said.

The document said: “We will undertake national procurement for a new platform available to all NHS provider organisations. This will include the ability to remotely monitor patients, with data flowing through to the NHS App and Single Patient Record – enabling proactive management of patients to become the new normal.”

Virtual wards, also known as hospital at home, have been widely trialled across the NHS already, with some research pointing to reduced hospital admissions and financial savings.

There was no date given for when this would be launched.

The news clarifies the digital underpinning of “neighbourhood health services” and which bodies would commission it, following the downgrading of integrated care boards.

The plan said the new system would enable “proactive management of patients to become the new normal, reaching out at the first signs of deterioration to prevent an emergency admission to hospital”.

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Source: HSJ, 3 July 2025