Scaling acute virtual wards: generating real world evidence at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells

Summary

We helped Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to generate robust, real world evidence on the impact of an acute virtual ward model using Luscii’s remote monitoring platform. Funded through the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), the project evaluated a mature, multi pathway acute virtual ward that has been operating since December 2022.

Through wraparound support, including bid development, patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), and innovation expertise, we helped to develop a generalisable blueprint for acute virtual wards. The independent evaluation demonstrated reductions in hospital bed days, lower readmissions, positive patient experience, and a strong economic case for adoption and scale across the NHS.

Challenge

General and acute hospital services face sustained pressure from growing demand, an ageing population and high bed occupancy. Virtual wards, also known as hospital at home services, were introduced by NHS England to help patients receive acute care at home. While adoption has increased rapidly and there are now more than 12,000 virtual ward beds, there has been limited independent, real world evaluation of these models at scale.

This has led to ongoing questions about safety, consistency, equity, cost effectiveness and the extent to which virtual wards can support patient flow without increasing variation or unintended consequences. Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust identified the need to evaluate its acute virtual ward model across multiple clinical pathways to provide evidence that could inform local decisions and wider NHS adoption.

Luscii’s solution is a remote patient monitoring platform that combines hardware and software, designed to enable hybrid care across settings. It offers a patient-facing application, a clinician dashboard, intelligent alerting, and customised care pathways for a wide range of conditions.

Our approach

This SBRI funded evaluation was delivered in partnership between Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Luscii, Unity Insights and Health Innovation KSS. The Trust’s acute virtual ward covers several established clinical pathways, including respiratory medicine, acute general medicine, frailty and haematology, supported by Luscii’s remote patient monitoring technology.

Health Innovation KSS supported the programme from application through to delivery. This included advising on the SBRI Phase 3 Urgent and Emergency Care Challenge, supporting interview preparation, and contributing expertise on virtual wards, health inequalities and net zero considerations. Health Innovation KSS also supported the design and delivery of meaningful PPIE, including the recruitment and facilitation of a PPIE Steering Group.

The independent evaluation combined quantitative and qualitative data. Episodes for 1,090 virtual ward patients were analysed over a 12 month period between July 2024 and July 2025. Patient surveys were carried out before and after enrolment, alongside staff surveys and focus groups with PPIE contributors. The findings were used to develop a practical blueprint and implementation toolkit to support spread and adoption.

Patient steering group

Impact

The evaluation showed that the Luscii enabled acute virtual ward delivered measurable benefits for patients and the health and care system.

Health and care system impact

• Mean reduction of 4.36 hospital bed days per patient, with the greatest reduction seen in the established respiratory pathway
• Lower hospital returns and readmissions compared with matched non virtual ward patients, with a reduction of 0.02 expected readmissions per patient
• Trust staff reported improved patient flow and increased ability to circulate beds, particularly during winter pressures
• Whilst the importance of communication between clinical teams and selection of patients onboarded to the ward was raised, overall, staff saw the acute virtual ward model in a positive light. Some 69% of staff surveyed felt the virtual ward led to better patient outcomes and more timely interventions.

Patient impact

• 94% of post admission patients agreed that receiving care at home was positive for their wellbeing
• Patients consistently reported feeling safe and reassured through daily remote monitoring and rapid clinical response
• Net Promoter Score of 68.7 based on likelihood to recommend the virtual ward to others
• Patients from more deprived areas and older age groups experienced outcomes broadly aligned with the wider cohort, and there was no indication that the virtual ward model increased health inequalities across the Core20PLUS5 cohorts.

“I found the virtual ward a totally positive experience. Being monitored from home helped my mental wellbeing and every member of staff I came into contact with were caring and supportive.” – Patient.

Economic and environmental impact

• Pilot modelling showed a benefit cost ratio of 1.33, meaning £1.33 of value for every £1 invested
• When scaled across the South East, the model remained economically favourable with a benefit cost ratio of 1.2
• Cost savings were driven mainly by avoided bed days
• Reduced hospital utilisation contributed to lower carbon emissions, with an estimated reduction of 11.5 kg CO₂e per virtual ward bed day compared with physical bed days

Impact stats infographic

Spread and scalability

The evaluation concluded in April 2026 and produced a publicly available report and generalisable blueprint for acute virtual wards. Findings have been shared through webinars and coordinated communications across project partners.

The evidence demonstrates that this model is clinically safe, patient‑centred and scalable. The blueprint is designed to support other NHS trusts and commissioners to establish or expand acute virtual wards, using real‑world learning from a mature service. Health Innovation KSS continues to work with partners to support regional and national spread.

Hayley Beresford, Research & Innovation Development Lead, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust: “Health Innovation KSS played an instrumental role in the success of the SBRI Phase 3 application and the delivery of ‘the Scaling Acute Virtual Wards: An Evidence-based NHS Blueprint’ project, providing comprehensive, wraparound support from concept to completion.

 

Their expertise across bid preparation, patient and public involvement, subject-matter knowledge on virtual care and innovation adoption strengthened not only the quality and credibility of the work, but ensured we were producing outputs that could be used beyond the Trust.

 

Crucially, Health Innovation KSS helped position our Acute Virtual Ward model for scale and spread, supporting the translation of findings into an evidence based blueprint with genuine potential for wider NHS impact.”

Cecilia Price, Impact and Implementation Specialist, Luscii: “Health Innovation KSS have been an invaluable partner throughout our SBRI journey. From supporting our successful bid application through to delivery, they have consistently provided strategic guidance, hands-on support, and genuine investment in the success of the project. They have been particularly helpful in supporting the establishment of our PPIE steering group, facilitating co-design activity, advising on scaling, and supporting the development of our implementation toolkit. Their commitment to both our organisation and the wider NHS partnership has been felt throughout, and their contribution has had a lasting positive impact both within and beyond the project.”

Find out more

To read the full evaluation report and blueprint, or to discuss the findings further, please contact Matthew Peach.