Virtual Wards

The Care of Hospital, the Comfort of Home

Welcome to the Virtual Ward at St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH). This is a new way of delivering hospital-level care, allowing you to receive treatment and monitoring at home while remaining under the care of your hospital team.

As part of our commitment to innovative, patient-centred care, SVUH introduced the Virtual Ward in July 2024. This model uses secure digital technology to provide 24-hour clinical monitoring and support, helping you recover safely in the comfort of your own home.

We are proud to be one of the first hospitals in Ireland to offer this service, alongside University Hospital Limerick, as part of the HSE National Virtual Ward Programme.

The Virtual Ward is designed for people who still need hospital-level care but do not need to stay in hospital. It allows you to continue your recovery in familiar surroundings, close to family and daily routines, while being closely monitored by your SVUH care team.

What is a Virtual Ward?

A Virtual Ward allows you to receive hospital-level care at home, safely and in familiar surroundings. It means you can continue your recovery in your own bed, with your own routines and the support of your family, while still being closely monitored by your hospital team. It also helps keep hospital beds available for those who need to be in hospital.

Just like on a hospital ward, you are cared for by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals. From home, you may receive a range of tests and treatments, including blood tests, medication management, wound care and monitoring of your vital signs.

You are reviewed every day by the clinical team. Your “ward round” may take place by phone or video. The Virtual Ward uses secure technology, including an app, monitoring devices and medical equipment, to check your progress, respond quickly to any changes and support your recovery at home.

Who can use the Virtual Ward?

Your hospital team may suggest the Virtual Ward if you still need hospital-level care, but your condition can be safely managed at home with monitoring and daily contact from the clinical team.

You may be suitable if:

• You still need ongoing medical care
• Your condition is stable enough to be monitored at home
• You are ready to leave hospital with the right support in place

Your doctor or nurse will talk to you and your family about whether the Virtual Ward is the right option for you.

Which conditions are currently supported at SVUH?

The Virtual Ward at SVUH currently supports patients in the following areas:

Cardiology (heart conditions), including:

• Heart failure
• Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
• Monitoring after certain heart procedures

Respiratory (lung and breathing conditions), including:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pneumonia
• Bronchiectasis
• Cystic fibrosis (CF)

General Medicine:

• Patients identified by the General Internal Medicine consultant as suitable for Virtual Ward care

What happens if the Virtual Ward is right for me?

If your hospital team feels the Virtual Ward may be suitable for you, they will talk to you and your family or carer about it first. They will explain how the service works, what to expect at home and answer any questions you may have.

Taking part is always your choice. If you decide that the Virtual Ward is not for you, your care will continue in hospital as planned. If you do choose to join the Virtual Ward, you can return to hospital at any time if your condition changes or if you no longer feel comfortable at home.

Once you agree to take part:

• Your consultant and the Virtual Ward team will make a personalised care plan with you
• You will be given a monitoring kit to take home
• You will be shown how to use all the equipment before you leave hospital
• Your family member or carer can also be shown how everything works, if needed

You will only go home when you feel comfortable, confident and supported.

Once you are home on the Virtual Ward

When you arrive home, you are still under the care of your hospital team. The Virtual Ward nursing team will continue to monitor your recovery closely and stay in regular contact with you.

Each day:

• You will check your vital signs, such as your blood pressure, temperature or oxygen levels, using the monitoring kit
• You will answer a few simple questions on the app about how you are feeling
• Your results go straight to the Virtual Ward nursing team

The team will:

• Review your readings in real time
• Phone you regularly to see how you are doing
• Carry out daily clinical reviews of your care

If anything changes or if you feel unwell, the team can adjust your care quickly and arrange further treatment if needed.

You can contact the Virtual Ward team at any time, day or night, if you have a concern or are worried about your symptoms.

Changing your care plan

Your care plan can be updated while you are at home on the Virtual Ward, just as it would be if you were in hospital.

If needed:

• Your medication can be adjusted
• Extra equipment can be provided
• Further tests can be arranged
• A short return visit to hospital can be organised

All changes are made by your hospital team and coordinated by the Virtual Ward nursing team. Your consultant remains responsible for your care at all times.

The aim is to make sure you continue to receive the right care, at the right time, in the safest way for you.

Using the monitoring kit

Before you go home, the Virtual Ward team will show you how to use all of the monitoring equipment. They will take time to make sure you feel comfortable and confident using it.

You will be shown how to:

• Use each monitoring device
• Enter your readings on the app
• Check messages from the Virtual Ward team

The app also includes simple written instructions and short video guides to help you.

If you have a technical problem with the equipment, you can contact the Technology Provider Customer Services on:
01 223 8858

If you are worried about your health at any time, you can contact the Virtual Ward team directly, rather than the technology provider.

Emergency situations

If you feel seriously unwell or your symptoms suddenly worsen, contact the Virtual Ward team immediately.

If it is a life-threatening emergency, call 112 or 999 straight away.

How long will I stay on the Virtual Ward?

How long you stay on the Virtual Ward will depend on your condition and how your recovery is progressing.

For most patients, Virtual Ward care lasts for about one week, but this can be shorter or longer depending on your individual needs.

When you no longer need hospital-level care:

• You will be formally discharged from the Virtual Ward
• The monitoring kit will be collected using the instructions provided
• Your ongoing care will continue with your GP or usual healthcare team, as needed

Your hospital team will keep you informed at every stage.

Can I leave home while on the Virtual Ward?

While you are on the Virtual Ward, we recommend that you stay at home as much as possible so that your recovery can be monitored safely.

If you do need to leave home, please let the Virtual Ward team know. Avoid driving while receiving Virtual Ward care. You may stay at a friend or family member’s house but must notify the team.

Out-of-hours care

The Virtual Ward is a 24-hour service, seven days a week. A clinical team is always available to review your readings and respond if you need help.

Out-of-hours cover applies:

• Weekdays: 6pm to 8am
• Weekends: From 6pm on Friday until 8am on Monday (or Tuesday after a bank holiday)

During these times:

• Your care is supported by the Medical Registrar on Call (MROC) and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON)
• Clear escalation plans are in place so you can get the right care quickly, if needed

Contact the Virtual Ward team

Phone: 01 221 5544

Email: virtualward@svhg.ie

The Virtual Ward is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We look forward to providing you with the best possible care through our Virtual Ward at SVUH.