Virtual Wards
A virtual ward is a cadre for providing support in the community to people with the most complex medical and social needs. The concept was developed in Croydon Primary Care Trust (South London) - and virtual wards are now being introduced in several parts of the UK (including Croydon, Dudley, Brent, Hillingdon, Bracknell and Nottinghamshire PCTs). Virtual wards use the systems and staffing of a hospital ward, but without the physical building: they provide preventative care for people in their own homes. The project won in four categories of the 2006 Health Service Journal Awards (the "UK's Biggest Awards in Healthcare") namely Primary Care Innovation, Patient-Centred Care, Information-Based Decision Making, and Clinical Service Redesign. This was the first time in the 25-year history of the HSJ awards that a project won in four categories. In 2007 it won the "Transformation" category of the Public Service Awards run by the Guardian Newspaper and was judged overall winner of those awards.
Read more about Virtual Wards: Key Aims of Virtual Wards, Admission To A Virtual Ward, Virtual Ward Staff, Daily Routine, Communication, Discharge From A Virtual Ward, Future of Virtual Wards, "Second Generation" Virtual Wards
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