The NHS is introducing more virtual wards to support people in the place they call home. A virtual ward provides an alternative option for those who are frail, elderly, or with acute infections and other short-term exacerbations of an existing health condition or illness who become unwell and would normally be spending time in the hospital.
Virtual wards prevent avoidable admission into hospitals, support early discharge out of the hospital, and increase the overall bed base available for acute care.
We know from research and experience that keeping frail people in their familiar surroundings but with the necessary care and support from the hospital and community services, is likely to improve their outcome.
Having your care delivered on a virtual ward can mean you spend a shorter amount of time in the hospital or avoid being admitted altogether. This reduces those risks known to be associated with in-hospital stays.
Once you are transferred to our virtual ward, we will arrange any diagnostic tests, necessary medication, and equipment you may require and will co-ordinate the team responsible for your care at home.
You could be on our virtual ward for up to 14 days, and once recovered you will be discharged back to the care of your GP with any community service support needed.
The Locala Virtual Ward Team commenced at the end of November 2022. The service provides consultant-led care in the patient’s own home. Since the service commenced, the service has grown in capacity and by spring 2024, there will be 22 beds for the service. The service covers the whole of Kirklees for Kirklees residents including temporary residents and a Kirklees GP. Currently, the service provides care for Frailty patients, but this will expand to other specialties in the future. The Locala team works 7 days a week 08:00-20:00
All our step-down referrals come from the Acute Hospitals – Mid Yorks Teaching Hospitals or Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust.
For step-up referrals, please refer to Kirklees UCR for admission avoidance, the ACPs will assess the patient and determine if they are suitable to be stepped up to the Virtual Ward via a consultant discussion.
We do not take direct referrals from patients, relatives, GPs, and Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
