Healthcare delivery
be expanded”. He said: “It is action that will ease acute pressures, reduce delays, cost less to our NHS, and most importantly, help people get better more quickly, more comfortably. Quality care for thousands of Scots delivered not simply close to home, but at home.” NHS Scotland’s increasing ability to tap
into the real-time data insights which virtual hospital wards offer, while lowering strain on clinicians is both a powerful tool for staff and an empowering, reassuring reality for their patients who increasingly seek greater independence. Involving patients in their own care decisions and enabling clinicians to take informed actions more quickly is a natural step forward for tomorrow’s innovative approach to healthcare. That can only lead to further insights and more breakthroughs from an inspired, knowledgeable NHS Scotland workforce. Indeed, going forward virtual ward analytics
driven by artificial intelligence could be used to proactively identify patients who might deteriorate, potentially preventing hospitalisations altogether. Of course, with rapid expansion across the country comes risk, and the Hospital at Home technologies enabling this transformation must meet appropriate safety and regulatory standards in order to deliver safe, effective care and foster confidence. However, if done correctly with clear decision- making processes, then make no mistake, the introduction of more virtual hospital wards across the country will represent a tech-led revolution in how the country delivers better healthcare to the population – specifically, innovation which ushers in next generation care shaped firmly around the individual. The scaling up of existing virtual ward models
is inevitable and welcome, as is the development of new models for different patient needs, hand in hand with the integration of more
sophisticated and user-friendly technologies such as virtual reality-based rehabilitation programmes and AI-driven emotional recognition, to name just a few. Ultimately, that means more patients
receiving continuous support which must be embraced for future resilience. Virtual wards may not be the quick fix that some claim, but they can be a major part of the NHS solution. InnoScot Health has been working in partnership with NHS Scotland for 23 years to support innovation as part of a strategic drive to improve patient care.
References 1.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/virtual- capacity-scotland-findings-interviews- pathway-representatives-rapid-evidence- review/documents/
2.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/care- digital-age-delivery-plan-2024-25/pages/1/
CSJ
About the author
Graham Watson is the Executive Chair of InnoScot Health which works in partnership with NHS Scotland to identify, protect, develop and commercialise healthcare innovations to improve patient care. Formed in 2002, formerly known as Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (SHIL), InnoScot Health is a private company registered in Scotland (SC236303) and limited by guarantee with three shareholders – Scottish Ministers through the chief scientist office, NHS Tayside and the Golden Jubilee national hospital. InnoScot Health’s multidisciplinary team uses
specialised knowledge to help bring new ideas and innovations from healthcare professionals to life. The organisation provides expert services including intellectual property advice and protection, regulatory expertise, project management, idea incubation, funding advice, development and commercialisation, and post- commercialisation monitoring.
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