'Virtual ward' beds could double in Leicestershire and Rutland next year, health bosses say

The number of beds in virtual wards could double across Leicestershire and Rutland by the end of 2023.

After the scheme was successfully trialled during the pandemic, local health bosses are expanding the service to treat more people with differing conditions.

Dr Gurnak Dosanjh says results have been positive so far:

'Virtual wards have been available to patients with heart conditions, diabetes and COPD, alongside COVID - and we're now expanding that to include many other conditions.'

'...patients who've just had surgery, who might have jaundice and for patients with asthma and pneumonia.'

Dr Dosanjh added that, at a time when on-site NHS services are under a lot of pressure, the scheme helps staff, patients in their recovery time and frees up beds in hospital wards:

'We all recognise that there is a lot of pressure on the NHS through winter, across the UK - and what our virtual wards allow us to do is make sure the right patients get the right care in the right place, at the right time.'

'They allow the clinical team in the hospital to monitor and support that patient while they're at home, in some cases a member of the clinical team can visit their home to support them and assess them if needed.'

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