How do the public and NHS staff feel about virtual wards?
The Health Foundation has published this timely piece on people's views of virtual wards. If you're one of the many people who's not entirely sure what 'virtual wards' (also known as 'hospital at home home' are, this is a good introduction to the issues). The aim is to have 10,000 virtual ward beds by the end of the year, so likely to be significant in all areas.
The report is looking at how people feel about virtual wards, and there are some interesting findings:
- Support for virtual wards is higher among disabled people, people with a carer and carers themselves
- The proportion saying they wouldn’t want to be treated though a virtual ward declines with age
- Nearly 3 in 4 of the public are happy to be treated through a virtual ward, in the right circumstances.
Some things are less surprising: support for the use of virtual wards grows as knowledge about how the NHS is using technology increases.
The report also includes what people think is important to make virtual wards work - and it would be interesting to see how that correlates with what patients and their families think.Rather than recommendations, there are 'implications', including considering the terminology.
Read the full article here.
People's concerns are recognised:
Nevertheless, it is notable that those in socioeconomic groups D and E are less supportive of virtual wards. It will therefore be important to understand the issues here and address concerns, including the suitability of people’s homes for virtual wards and whether or not they have the necessary support available. In seeking to expand the virtual wards model, providers will need to work closely with other services and agencies, such as social care and local authority housing teams, to ensure people have the support they need.
Image by DCStudio on Freepik
