A report by the NHS Confederation looking at virtual wards says virtual ward staffing needs to be properly planned. It says long-term establishments should be set and regularly reviewed for virtual wards and staffing plans implemented, which provide both permanent and secondment-based opportunities for clinical staff (including from social, community and primary care), to help reinforce the role of virtual wards as a permanent service which can offer real benefits to career development. It adds placements for students should include exposure to virtual wards alongside other traditional placements.
The report spoke to a range of NHS leaders, including integrated care system (ICS) chairs and chief executives, integrated care board (ICB) digital leads, clinicians, and senior operational and finance staff. It focuses on the delivery process of virtual wards; the opportunities they bring to the quality of care and impact on demand; the challenges leaders face in implementing virtual wards, including the implications for the NHS workforce; and potential solutions to improving virtual wards as they become commonplace in the NHS.
Realising the potential of virtual wards | NHS Confederation