Diagnostic Virtual Ward

The diagnostic virtual ward is an example of virtual care that does not require digital technology to make it work.

It works across many specialties in the hospital and is used for low risk patients who are well enough to go home but still require at least one further investigation (such as a colonoscopy, MRI scan or blood test) in a prompt timeframe.

Traditionally, these patients would wait in hospital and would not be discharged until they had received this test. This often adds 2 to 3 days to their hospital stay.

However, the diagnostic virtual ward allows the patient to go home, get a better night’s sleep and rest in comfort. They can then return to hospital in the next few days to have their diagnostic investigation on the same timescale as if they were an inpatient.