Addenbrooke's Hospital's virtual ward, which has allowed more than 1,800 patients to be treated from the comfort of their own homes, has scooped a national award.

The virtual ward received the 'Improving Out of Hospital Care through Digital' award in the Health Service Journal Digital Awards.

Since the virtual ward was set up in 2022, it has saved 6,000 hospital bed days.

Operations manager Andy Bailey with the awardOperations manager Andy Bailey with the award (Image: CUH)

The programme was led by intensive care consultant Dr Iain Goodhart, lead nurse Gemma Czech and operations manager Andy Bailey - supported by the Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's eHospital team, procurement and others.

Dr Goodhart said: "While we are absolutely delighted to receive this award, the real winners are the patients who benefit from all the advantages associated with this cutting-edge care.

"Staff have gone above and beyond for this service and I am absolutely delighted their efforts have been recognised in these awards."

The virtual ward operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and is run by a dedicated nursing and consultant team.

Team member Chloe Lim with the awardTeam member Chloe Lim with the award (Image: CUH)

Patients on the ward are monitored constantly by using smart phone apps, technology platforms and wearable medical devices, such as temperature readers and pulse oximeters.

They can be treated for a wide variety of medical and surgical conditions including respiratory, gastro and frailty conditions which can be safely managed remotely.

A team of senior nurses check in with patients up to four times a day by phone or video call, with care also available face-to-face from multidisciplinary teams.

If patients need further care, such as blood tests, scans or intravenous therapy, they can come into hospital for regular appointments or be visited in their own homes.

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The service means patients can leave hospital days or even weeks earlier than expected, while still receiving expert care.

The awards were held earlier this month at Manchester Central Convention Complex, with more than 1,000 guests watching the announcement of winners from 23 categories focused on digital improvement.

Health Service Journal editor Alistair McLellan said: "The robust competition and entries from various regions and sectors underscore the widespread integration of technology in healthcare."