Bringing the hospital home: The role of carers in virtual wards

Virtual wards are a relatively new way of delivering NHS care from someone’s home. They are designed for people who are well enough to leave the hospital but still need an ongoing level of support from medical professionals. This might look like regular health checks, medication support, or just a watchful clinical eye while they recover. Put simply, virtual wards allow patients to leave the hospital sooner by continuing to receive care from home.

These services are part of a wider shift in health and care, with a growing emphasis on early discharge, home-based treatments, and digital solutions to reduce pressures on hospitals.

As more virtual wards are rolled out across the UK, unpaid carers are playing a bigger role in making them work, but many of us never hear about them until we’re suddenly involved.

While virtual wards can support the recovery and comfort of the person we care for, they may leave us feeling unprepared, unsupported, or overwhelmed.

This blog will help us understand what virtual wards are, what support we’re entitled to, and where we can go if we’re feeling unsure or stretched too thin. It will include real experiences from other carers, explore common concerns, and offer practical advice on coping with this new type of care.

What is a virtual ward?

In a recent poll, nearly 70% of carers who responded shared they had never heard of virtual wards, yet they are something many of us may become involved with during our time looking after someone. So what are they?

"I've never heard of virtual wards and know nothing about them, I’m curious."

Virtual wards are the newest way of delivering NHS care at home, often involving remote monitoring technology. It allows someone to be discharged earlier from hospital, or to avoid hospital admission altogether, if it’s safe to do so. Ongoing care is provided either in person or remotely by nurses, doctors, physiotherapists or occupational therapists - depending on the person’s needs.

"I have used a virtual ward before and found it extremely easy and helpful."

But how does it all work?

Patients on a virtual ward are usually monitored through a combination of:

• Regular home visits from NHS professionals

• Remote monitoring equipment - such as through devices that measure temperature, oxygen levels, blood pressure or others

• Phone or video check-ins.

It is important to note that virtual wards do not replace other care services, such as help with bathing or dressing. If someone needs that support, the virtual ward team should work with local social care services to put both in place. If the person we look after has increased needs, or we are new to caring after a change to their health, we should complete a care needs assessment and carer’s assessment to see what help we can get alongside the virtual ward. We know - yet more admin. But it can make a real difference to our situation and level of support. 

What do virtual wards mean for unpaid carers?

Supporting someone at home through a health condition may already feel like being on a virtual ward - so what’s the difference? The biggest change is the level of support from medical professionals we can expect to receive - and possibly the amount of care the person we look after requires. If the person we look after is placed on a virtual ward, we may be asked to support some aspects of their recovery at home. This might include encouraging them to take medication, helping them use monitoring equipment, or simply being around in case something changes, but does not mean that we are on our own or solely responsible for their medical care.

"I’m worried that support and backup will not be available."

It’s important to know that we are not being expected to become nurses. We shouldn’t be asked to take on clinical tasks unless we’re trained and comfortable with doing them. And if we’re not able to take on more responsibility - physically, emotionally, or practically - this should be included in the decision about whether a virtual ward is appropriate. This is never something we have to do.

Hospital staff should always discuss the plan with us before a hospital discharge and make sure we feel informed and supported. If that hasn’t happened, it’s OK to ask questions or say we’re not comfortable with taking on the responsibility.

While virtual wards can support recovery and comfort for the person we care for, we (and the medical professionals) are often very focused on their needs. Thinking about our own needs at this time might feel unnatural - but is incredibly important for us and the person we look after. If we take on too much, don’t understand our role in the virtual ward, or are putting ourselves in a situation we don’t feel comfortable with - that won’t be good for anyone involved. It could easily lead to us worried we will get things wrong, burning out physically or emotionally, or feeling increased resentment towards the person we care for.

While they can feel intimidating, there are bonuses for us with caring being moved to our/ the person we look after’s home. There will be less travel involved, we can create more of a routine, we may feel more comfortable knowing that we can keep an eye on their care and condition, and we might feel good knowing that they are happier in their own space.

"My dad doesn't want to go to hospital. He is in palliative care at home. A virtual ward would help at times when he's poorly and I need medical guidance without him having to go out of his home."

Technology and virtual wards

Technology in virtual wards can feel daunting, especially if we’re not confident in using digital tools. The good news is that the NHS should provide all the equipment needed - and it is their responsibility to make sure we know how to use it. In most cases, someone will do a home visit to set up the devices and show us how they work.

Monitoring equipment might include things like:

• A pulse oximeter (to measure oxygen levels)

• A blood pressure cuff

• A thermometer

• A tablet or smartphone with an app to upload readings
  

If we don’t have internet access, or struggle with technology, we should say so. The team may be able to adapt the support, offer paper-based alternatives, or arrange more in-person contact to help.

Making it work for everyone

Virtual wards can work well when the right support is in place - for the person we care for, and for us. If their care needs are too complex or if our own health makes it difficult to take on the responsibilities needed, then it may not be the right option. 

We have a right to be included in decisions about discharge and to have our concerns listened to. If we’re not sure about something or need extra help, we can:

• Ask the hospital team to explain how the virtual ward will work

• Request a care plan that outlines responsibilities, contacts, and support available

• Speak to the local carers’ organisation for guidance or advocacy
  

"A virtual ward would most definitely be more comfortable than a hospital. My fear is that I will lose someone in the hospital system - as long as it was genuinely staffed properly and not just a box-ticking exercise to show improved health-care stats."

10 simple tips for starting our first virtual ward

For those of us who are about to start supporting someone on a virtual ward for the first time, here are ten tips which can help us to feel more prepared:

1. Ask for a full explanation of what the virtual ward involves and who to contact if anything changes, or we need to ask any questions.

2. Request a written care plan with clear roles and responsibilities.

3. Ensure the person’s needs are fully assessed, including personal care, not just medical.

4. Be honest about your limits, physically, emotionally, time wise and what we feel comfortable with doing or not. It’s ok (and helpful for all involved) for us to share clear boundaries. 

5. Get a demonstration of any equipment and ask as many questions as we need if we feel unsure. It’s important we feel comfortable with how it all works. 

6. Work together to test all technology during the set up, including Wi-Fi or phone signal. 

7. Keep emergency numbers handy, and know how and when to escalate concerns.

8. Write down key information, such as medication times or symptom thresholds.

9. Check how out-of-hours support works, especially for evenings and weekends.

10. Don’t forget your own wellbeing - take breaks, and ask for help if needed.

    
    

If we are feeling uncertain or need someone to talk to, we should contact our local carers’ support organisation, our GP, or the hospital’s patient advice and liaison service (PALS). We are not expected to take this on alone.

FAQs on virtual wards

What if we don’t feel able to take on more care at home? That should be a key part of the discharge decision. If we can't provide more support due to our own health or circumstances, we must say so. The person should only go onto a virtual ward if it’s safe - both for them and us.

Will we receive physical help at home? Not usually from the virtual ward team, but if personal care (like washing, toileting, or hoisting) is needed, social care should be involved. The hospital should arrange this as part of discharge planning.

What technology is needed, and who provides it? The NHS provides any equipment needed for virtual monitoring, such as oximeters or tablets. Someone should show us how to use it and offer ongoing support if needed.

How much responsibility will fall on unpaid carers? We may be asked to help monitor symptoms or support recovery, but we should not be expected to provide clinical care or make medical decisions. If something doesn’t feel manageable, speak up.

Is there someone we can contact in an emergency? Yes. The virtual ward team should give us clear contact numbers for urgent issues. Out-of-hours arrangements vary by area but should include access to 111 or 999 when needed.

How quickly can help arrive if something goes wrong? That depends on the service. Some virtual wards operate 24/7; others may have delays out of hours. It’s important we’re told what to expect.

Will we have in-person support or only phone check-ins? Many virtual wards include home visits, especially early on. If we’re worried about being left alone to manage, we should request more face-to-face contact.

What training or support will carers receive? We should be shown how to use any equipment and supported to understand what’s expected. If we're unsure or need extra guidance, we can ask for a reassessment.

What happens if the person’s condition gets worse? Contact the virtual ward team immediately. They will advise what to do and, if needed, arrange for hospital re-admission or emergency care.

Is the person still under the hospital’s care? Yes, for the duration of the virtual ward stay. They may be under a specific clinical team or a hospital consultant, depending on local arrangements.

Will our usual GP still be involved? The GP might be kept informed but isn't usually responsible for care during a virtual ward stay. The hospital team leads the care plan.

Can someone live alone and be on a virtual ward? Only if the virtual ward team is confident that it’s safe. They’ll consider how often staff will visit, whether the person can manage their needs, and what support is in place.

Is this just a way to shift more work onto unpaid carers? That’s a concern for many of us. The NHS says it aims to support recovery at home, not rely on unpaid carers to replace professional care. But the reality must match the promise. If we feel overwhelmed, we should raise it and ask for more support.

Will carers get access to the medical team or records? We should be involved in discussions and decisions if the person consents. Ask for contact details for the team and clarity on how we can raise concerns.

What if we have no internet or struggle with digital skills? Tell the hospital team. Alternative arrangements should be made, like paper-based monitoring or in-person check-ins.

How do you get referred to a virtual ward? The decision is usually made by the hospital team, based on clinical criteria and whether care at home is safe and appropriate, but we can make the suggest ourselves for consideration. 

What if we’re not sure we understand everything?

Ask for a written care plan. This should include contact numbers, what to do in an emergency, and who is responsible for what. It is always better to ask for clarification than feel unsure.

Final thoughts & next steps

Virtual wards might be the future of care for some conditions - but they should not mean added stress for us. We can expect, and advocate for, clear information, honest conversations, and meaningful support. 

And if we’re looking for a place to talk about our experiences with virtual wards, ask other carers for tips, or just speak to others in the same boat then the Mobilise Hub is a great place to start.