Key Takeaways
- Medway NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new digital platform in partnership with Feebris to enhance its virtual hospital initiative.
- In just one month, the initiative saved 1,500 bed days, significantly reducing hospital costs.
- Medway is the first pilot site to submit data to the federated data platform, part of a national initiative for virtual wards.
New Digital Platform Transforming Virtual Healthcare
Medway NHS Foundation Trust has recently introduced a digital platform as part of its efforts to expand its virtual hospital services. This platform was developed in collaboration with health technology company Feebris over a six-week period.
Jackie Hammond, head of nursing for the virtual ward services at Medway, emphasized the importance of effective change management in the NHS, stating, “Change fatigue is real in the NHS.” The decision to partner with Feebris was based on their adaptable technology and commitment to smooth, engaging transitions.
The trust’s SMART (surgical, medical, acute, and recovery team) covers extensive virtual monitoring and home healthcare for patients who would normally require hospitalization. The initiative aims to manage all clinical conditions across various specialties efficiently.
After the platform’s launch, Medway reported a remarkable reduction in hospital bed usage, saving 1,500 bed days within just one month. Notably, one day spent in the Medway virtual ward costs only one-third compared to a hospital stay. Tracy Stocker, director of operations for the virtual ward program, shared that the initiative is not merely about delivering care at home but also focuses on building a data-driven, patient-centric virtual hospital infrastructure.
Moreover, Medway is leading the way as the first pilot site to successfully report data to the federated data platform, crucial for the NHS’s new approach to collecting information on virtual wards. This new minimum data set will automate the daily collection of pseudonymized data nationwide, replacing the current daily reports.
Adding to this progress, NHS England has commissioned a two-year evaluation of its national virtual wards initiative, which began in February 2025. This evaluation will be conducted by Healthcare Integration Partners, Kaleidoscope, and City St George’s, University of London, to assess the impact and effectiveness of virtual ward services across the country.
In summary, Medway NHS Foundation Trust is at the forefront of virtual healthcare innovation, demonstrating significant improvements in patient care while optimizing hospital resources.
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