How does a virtual hospital work? Virtual wards at West Herts NHS

In the early part of the pandemic, our leading respiratory consultants were quick to implement an out-of-hospital care model for patients with COVID-19. By using existing technology in an innovative way, we created the UK's first COVID 'virtual hospital’.
This enabled a multi-disciplinary team to successfully treat over 4,000 COVID-19 patients away from the hospital setting, saving valuable bed spaces at a time of crisis. The programme was a great success and we worked with NHS England and other trusts to help roll it out nationally.
Now, we are using this model to help treat more conditions. Patients suffering from heart failure and COPD are both well suited to be treated in a virtual hospital, in the comfort of their own homes. This lets us help more people, while giving the patients a better experience.