How Virtual Wards are Transforming Care

Introduction

After his presentation at Digital Health Rewired, we spoke to paramedic James Wheatley from Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust about how the virtual wards there are transforming patient care. By combining remote monitoring technology with a multidisciplinary approach, the initiative is reducing hospital admissions, improving outcomes for patient care and reshaping the way care is delivered to vulnerable patients.

Hi James, what inspired the implementation of Virtual Wards in Walsall?

The Virtual Wards were introduced to tackle rising hospital admissions, particularly among care home residents and frail patients. We wanted to find a way to manage these patients safely at home or in their place of residence while reducing pressure on the NHS. The deployment of the virtual wards is part of the Walsall Together – an initiative that brings together health and social care services to ensure patients received seamless support. Using remote monitoring technology gives us an opportunity to take a more proactive approach to patient care, identifying deterioration earlier and intervening sooner. We wanted virtual wards so that patients could receive hospital-level care in their own homes, reducing unnecessary hospital stays and admissions. Our virtual wards service focuses on vulnerable patients, but not exclusively. We have cared for patients across the adult age range and with varying complexity in both their clinical and social circumstances, and facilitated their early discharge home, or prevented an unnecessary admission. 

How do the Virtual Wards work, and what role does technology play?

Patients are remotely monitored using the Docobo Remote Monitoring platform, which means patients can submit vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen levels and temperature. If the solution detects concerning changes, clinicians can step in quickly, often preventing hospital admissions. A small but highly skilled team, including community nurses and specialist consultants, oversees patient management, providing continuous support and early intervention.

The Virtual Wards have now expanded to cover different pathways and we currently have six pathways within our service; Hospital at Home; Acute respiratory infection; Discharge to Assess; Fast-Track palliative care; Frailty and Heart failure.

What are the key benefits for patients and healthcare teams?

For patients, the biggest advantage is being able to receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their own homes. Patients are monitored closely, and interventions happen quickly, which improves clinical stability and outcomes. We’ve also seen significantly reduced readmission rates, particularly from care homes that previously saw high numbers of hospital transfers. It has also eased bed pressures, ensuring those who do need hospital care can access it more easily. The collaborative approach between acute trusts, GPs and community teams has been a game-changer, making care more joined-up and efficient.

What challenges did you face in implementing Virtual Wards, and how were they overcome?

Introducing new technology always comes with challenges. Some people were initially hesitant about relying on remote monitoring, so we focused on training and ongoing support to build confidence. Integrating the system into existing NHS workflows took time, but through collaboration and continuous refinement, we made sure it complemented rather than disrupted patient care. Through this process we learnt that getting buy in from key colleagues, such as specialty leads, helped to bring their teams along with them and lead to more productive use of the virtual wards service. Ultimately, the results spoke for themselves—early positive outcomes helped secure buy-in from teams across the board.

What’s next for Virtual Wards in Walsall and beyond?

We’re continuing to expand the model, particularly with Discharge to Assess (D2A), where patients leaving hospital receive ongoing monitoring in care and nursing homes to prevent readmission. We have also incorporated a clinical pharmacist into our team, who enables patients to have a structured medicines review and reduce the risks, particularly in older patients, of over prescribing. We hope that our success shows how this approach can be scaled to improve care nationally.

Walsall’s Virtual Wards are demonstrating how digital healthcare can transform patient management, reducing hospital pressures while keeping patients safer at home. With people like James Wheatley leading the way, the future of virtual care is looking brighter than ever.