“Positive early results” are reportedly being seen from a virtual ward pilot for older adults with complex mental health needs in Sussex, with services being delivered via a combination of remote and community-based care.
The pilot is part of a wider transformation programme across the region, offering support to older people to remain in their own home or care home rather than being admitted to hospital, mitigating distress and confusion that can accompany admissions, as well as discharge delays waiting for support for ongoing care needs.
Under the new model of care, patients admitted to the virtual ward receive both mental and physical healthcare from a specialist multidisciplinary team. Sussex Partnership, one of the trusts involved, states this approach is helping to manage mental health crises earlier and promoting faster recovery. Investment has also been made, it states, in expanding intensive support practitioner teams in the Sussex region, who can offer support to people in their own homes.
“The virtual ward model allows us to provide physical and mental health hospital-level oversight whilst enabling patients to remain safely at home wherever possible,” says Laura Brummer, clinical director for the East Sussex Division.
Initially launched in East Sussex, there are now plans to expand the service across Sussex via a partnership between Sussex Partnership and Sussex Community trusts. Joanna Byers, head of nursing for rapid response and virtual wards at East Sussex Healthcare notes: “We are pleased to be working together with Sussex Partnership on this pilot, which represents a strong example of effective cross-provider collaboration…Early indications show this model is helping to prevent hospital admissions for older people and delivering a positive experience for patients through a truly integrated pathway.”
Teams are now looking at consolidating the pathway and building on learnings as the pilot expands into West Sussex, Joanna explains.
Wider trend: Virtual care
Ireland’s Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, has shared the impact of virtual care initiatives, highlighting “significant progress” around patient outcomes and relieving pressure on hospital capacity. Two pilot acute virtual wards at St. Vincent’s University Hospital and University Hospital Limerick have accrued 1,500 admissions, reportedly equating to 13,800 virtual bed days. A further four virtual wards have now been launched at Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda, Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, Mercy Hospital Cork, and St Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny; with plans for a fifth at Galway University Hospital in early 2026.
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has set out its target operating model for virtual care, looking to build on existing success and introduce a unified digital approach to support “more predictable” waits, improved risk identification, and smoother patient flow. According to the trust, the new model will offer more consistency in clinical assessment for patients, expanded alternatives to ED conveyance, improved partnership working through more accurate referrals and shared records, and standardisation across tools, digital integration, and clinical escalation or advice points to support staff.
NHS Scotland has issued a prior information notice outlining its intent to explore options for a “multi-channel” remote health monitoring and communication solution, with a contract notice expected in July 2026. The solution sought will be capable of supporting care pathways including home or mobile health monitoring, according to the notice, enabling people to update and share health information from a home or community setting to promote improved monitoring, self-management, and proactive care.
