Over 1,000 patients cared for in the comfort of their own homes by St. Vincent’s University Hospital Virtual Ward

21st October 2025

St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) has cared for over 1,000 patients since the launch of its pioneering Virtual Ward in July 2024, enabling them to be treated in the comfort of their own homes. This equates to 9,600 hospital bed days.

Designed for patients who would otherwise require hospital admission, the Virtual Ward allows people to receive hospital-level monitoring, assessment and treatment in the comfort of their own homes.

At the heart of this innovation is the patient. Each person is supported by a multidisciplinary team of nurses, consultants and administrators who oversee daily 24-hour digital monitoring, regular check-ins and clear escalation pathways if clinical concerns arise. By remaining in their own surroundings, patients avoid hospital-acquired complications, stay active and maintain stronger connections to family life. The result is better recovery, lower stress and greater dignity in care.

“Reaching 1,000 patients is a powerful testament to what Virtual Wards make possible. We are now proving that hospitals can reach into the home, not the other way around,” said Pauline McGrath, CEO of St. Vincent’s University Hospital. “Our patients tell us they feel safer and more connected to their lives while still being closely monitored. Every patient cared for at home represents a hospital bed made available for someone acutely unwell. It benefits patients, families and the wider health system.”

Professor Donal O’Shea, Clinical Director for Medicine/Emergency Medicine at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, said the Virtual Ward is transforming how hospital care is delivered:
“The Virtual Ward in St. Vincent’s has been one of the most exciting and innovative developments I have seen and reaching the 1,000th patient is a major landmark. It delivers progressive healthcare in the comfort and safety of your own home. There is a real buzz about the hospital because of it and there are opportunities to develop it even further. Patients can hardly believe it when you suggest it as an option – it genuinely transforms the hospital experience for the better.”

Delivering measurable impact

The Virtual Ward Project at SVUH is part of the HSE’s National Virtual Ward Programme and to date over 1,000 patients have been cared for through the Virtual Ward.

• Patients have accumulated 9,600 active care days at home since launch (July 2024–October 2025).
• By August 2025, this equated to 3,820 hospital bed days saved.
• The service maintains 100% daily patient compliance.
• On average, 30 patients are monitored daily across cardiology, respiratory, general medicine and urology pathways.

 Why this matters 

Ireland’s health service continues to face rising demand, limited inpatient capacity and increasing pressure to provide care outside hospital settings. Virtual Wards offer a scalable and cost-effective solution, freeing capacity for acute, elective and emergency care while maintaining safety and quality.

This also places the patient and their family at the centre of their Healthcare journey.

This approach aligns with the HSE’s National Virtual Ward Programme, which identifies Virtual Wards as a core tool for expanding access, optimising capacity and delivering more integrated care closer to home.

Patients benefit through improved experience and outcomes.
Hospitals benefit through more efficient use of resources.
The health system benefits through a sustainable model of modern care.

Expanding reach and recognition 

• A Consultant has been appointed to the Virtual Ward and will take up post in January 2026, strengthening clinical leadership.
• A new Urology pathway, the first to extend beyond medical specialties into perioperative care, is now fully operational.
• SVUH was shortlisted for the 2025 Public Sector Digital Transformation Awards, recognising its leadership in innovation and digital health.

-Ends-

Notes to editors

• St. Vincent’s University Hospital launched its Virtual Ward in July 2024 as one of two national pilot sites.
• As of October 2025, 1,018 patients have been onboarded, with 9,600 patient active days and full daily compliance on the monitoring platform.
• “Patient active days” represent each 24-hour period of acute care delivered remotely. While not all directly translate into bed days saved, they demonstrate the scale of hospital-level care now being safely delivered outside hospital walls.
• The service operates as consultant-governed and nurse-led care, providing acute hospital treatment to patients in their own homes.
• Pathways include Cardiology, Respiratory, General Medicine and Urology.
• The hospital’s data confirms a cumulative 9,600 hospital bed days saved since inception.