The HSE, under the governance of the office of the Chief Clinical Officer, has commenced the mobilisation of a programme to develop and implement a national model for Acute Virtual Wards (AVWs) in acute hospitals nationally.
AVWs are a novel and innovative solution that have emerged internationally (most notably in Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals in the UK) as a viable clinical intervention, enabled by technology, to provide a safe and efficient alternative to bedded care – they support patients who would otherwise be in a hospital bed, to be remotely monitored and receive treatment in their homes.
There has been substantial work undertaken at local and national level in preparation for the implementation of AVWs in two hospital sites in 2024.
