St. Vincent’s University Hospital launches Ireland’s first Surgical pathway on the Virtual Ward to mark World Kidney Day 

12th March 2026

New model frees acute capacity and allows urology patients to recover safely at home 

St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) has launched Ireland’s first Surgical Pathway within the Virtual Ward, enabling suitable urology patients to complete part of their recovery at home instead of in a hospital bed. The initiative marks a significant advancement in surgical care delivery and coincides with World Kidney Day. 

The new pathway allows patients to receive hospital-level monitoring at home with full consultant oversight, daily review and the option of rapid return to SVUH if required. It expands the HSE National Virtual Ward Programme, which launched in July 2024 across two sites, St. Vincent’s University Hospital and University Hospital Limerick (UHL), and is the first time in Ireland that a surgical specialty has transitioned to a Virtual Ward model. 

A response to pressures on surgical and nonspecialist wards 

Urology patients often require admission for observation, scans or early post-operative monitoring, leading to extended hospital stays and increased pressure on medical and surgical wards. Many patients have traditionally been placed on non-specialist wards during periods of high demand. 

The pathway covers a broad range of cases including urinary infections, catheter and stent care and recovery following common urological surgeries such as Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour (TURBT), Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) and ureteroscopy.  

The new model provides daily virtual reviews, continuous remote monitoring and direct escalation to the surgical team when required. Patients can return directly to the hospital through the Virtual Ward pathway if necessary,  without having to go through the Emergency Department (ED). 

The Virtual Urology pathway went live in September 2025. Early results showed shorter inpatient recovery times, reduced post‑operative length of stay and fewer urology patients having to attend the Emergency Department. The pathway has delivered measurable system improvements, including freeing 162 urology bed days. It has supported earlier discharge, increased hospital capacity and improved patient experience, reinforcing the model’s effectiveness and supporting its expansion across additional surgical specialties.  

These results align with the broader Virtual Ward service, which began in July 2024. Since then, upward on 1,300 individual patients across multiple medical specialties have been cared for virtually, delivering the equivalent of over 12,400 bed days saved.  

National surgical leadership and RCSI involvement 

The urology pathway was developed through a collaboration between SVUH, the Office of the Chief Clinical Officer and the RCSI National Clinical Programme in Surgery and is now being considered as a model for wider national adoption. 

Mr. David Mulvin, Clinical Director of Surgery at SVUH, said 

“This is a significant development in how we deliver surgery in Ireland. The Virtual Ward with a Surgical Urology Pathway allows patients to recover safely at home under continuous consultant oversight, while also freeing vital acute beds for emergencies and planned theatre activity. It improves patient experience and supports a more efficient surgical service.” 

Brian Murray, peri-operative Directorate Nurse Manager, said 

“The success of this pathway is built on close collaboration between peri-operative staff and the Virtual Ward nursing team. For many patients, recovering at home means less stress and a smoother experience but with the reassurance of continuous hospital oversight. It’s a modern, responsive way of delivering surgical care.” 

The Launch  

The launch was attended by Prof Eamonn Rogers, CoLead of the National Clinical Programme in Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). He praised the programme’s potential for national adoption. 

Prof Rogers said, 

“What SVUH has achieved with this Surgical Urology Pathway is genuinely impressive. It sets a new benchmark for how digital innovation can enhance surgical care while maintaining the highest clinical standards. This is the kind of forward-thinking model our health service needs and SVUH is leading the way. It is a major milestone for surgical practice nationally.” 

Patient experience 

Independent patient feedback from the Virtual Ward service shows consistently high satisfaction, with 95.6% of patients rating their experience as good or very good and several months achieving 100% satisfaction. Patients frequently describe the model as reassuring and convenient, highlighting the comfort of recovering at home while remaining under close hospital supervision.  

A model for Ireland’s future 

SVUH’s Virtual Ward now supports multiple medical and surgical specialties and continues to expand as part of national plans to modernise digitally enabled care.  

-ENDS- 

Notes to Editors 

About the Surgical Urology Pathway within the SVUH Virtual Ward 

• The Surgical Urology Pathway went live in September 2025 within SVUH’s existing Virtual Ward, marking the first time in Ireland that a surgical specialty has been delivered through the Virtual Ward model. 

• Designed for clinically suitable urology patients who can complete part of their recovery at home under full consultant oversight. 

• Includes continuous digital monitoring, twicedaily virtual reviews and consultantled daily assessment. 

• Patients can return directly to the hospital through the Virtual Ward pathway if escalation is required, without having to go through the Emergency Department. 

Impact to date 

• 162 surgical bed days saved to date (conservative estimate). 

• Supports earlier discharge, improves patient flow and frees acute surgical capacity. 

About the Virtual Ward Programme at SVUH 

• SVUH operates a broader Virtual Ward service across cardiology, respiratory, general medicine and urology. 

• Since July 2024, upwards on 1,300 individual patients have been cared for through the Virtual Ward,  

• The model provides 24/7 remote monitoring, consultant governance and rapid clinical escalation when needed. 

About the HSE / RCSI National Clinical Programme in Surgery 

• The initiative is supported by the National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS) and aligns with national strategy to modernise and digitise acute care pathways. 
• The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) provides national clinical leadership for the programme.