• Celebrations

Our Community Virtual Frailty service has been shortlisted for a Health Service Journal (HSJ) Award in the Driving Virtual Wards and Hospital at Home Through Digital category.

This award recognises NHS-led programmes that have successfully embedded virtual wards or hospital-at-home services through the effective use of digital technology and delivered measurable benefits for patients.

In response to NHS England’s national drive to expand care closer to home, Berkshire Healthcare’s Urgent Community Response Virtual Ward service has increased capacity and transformed how care is delivered.

The introduction of digital innovations, including Medic Chat, Microsoft Teams for improved connectivity in rural areas, remote clinical supervision, and bitesized teaching sessions to support ongoing staff development, has significantly strengthened service delivery.

As a result, the average length of stay has reduced from 14 days to 5 days. The Urgent Care Response Service has an estimated hospital admission avoidance rate of 92.75%, while the Virtual Frailty Ward achieves 88.98%. 

These improvements mean more patients can safely receive care at home, reducing pressure on acute services and improving patient experience.

We're incredibly proud to see this work recognised. Being shortlisted reflects our continued commitment to improving services through digital innovation and new ways of working.