NHS to treat 50,000 elderly and vulnerable patients in ‘virtual wards’ at home
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The NHS is planning to free up space in A&E by treating up to 50,000 elderly and vulnerable patients in “virtual wards” at home.
In December, about 10,000 people were being cared for in that way in England, and ministers want to increase the monthly figure five-fold.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said more “urgent community response teams” will be created to provide patients with at-home support “within two hours”.
The changes are being made in “recognition of the pressures facing A&E”.
“Up to 20% of emergency hospital admissions (are) avoidable with the right care in place,” the DHSC said.
It is hoped that ambulance response times will improve as the plan is rolled out.
On Monday, NHS England is due to publish its Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, the purpose of which is to “reduce waiting times and improve care for patients”.
The DHSC said there is “growing evidence” that virtual wards are a “safe and efficient alternative to hospital care, particularly for frail patients”.
Those looked after in this way include frail elderly patients or those with acute respiratory infections and cardiac conditions.
Clinical teams may visit them at home or use video to “monitor and check how they are recovering”.
Falls and frailty teams – which consist mainly of nurses – will also be scaled up.
The intention is to get more at-home services in place for next winter, based on “learnings from this winter”.
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Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said that while there is “no quick fix” for the NHS, “immediate action” can be taken to reduce long waiting times for urgent and emergency care.
He added: “Up to 20% of hospital admissions are avoidable with the right care in place. By expanding the care provided in the community, the most vulnerable, frail and elderly patients can be better supported to continue living independently or recover at home.
“Not only will patients benefit from better experiences and outcomes, it will ease pressure on our busy emergency departments.”
If you are an NHS worker and would like to share your experiences with us anonymously, please email NHSstories@sky.uk
NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard said: “Boosting care in the community and treating more people at home is key to recovery – it is better for patients and their families, as well as easing pressure on services.”
According to the latest NHS figures, ambulance handover delays are down and hospital bed availability is rising.
But Saffron Cordery, interim chief executive at NHS Providers, said there is still “relentless” pressure on urgent and emergency care services.
Patients shared their negative and positive experiences of the health service with Sky News during a day of special programmes about the NHS crisis.
