A virtual ward pilot in East Sussex is targeting people with complex mental health needs, including dementia, by delivering joined-up, community-based care that combines remote and in-person support.
The scheme aims to help patients stay safely at home or in care homes while receiving hospital-level oversight and treatment from a specialist multidisciplinary team.
Dr Laura Brummer, clinical director for the East Sussex division, said: “By investing more in community services for older adults and people living with dementia, this gives us more options for how we deliver high-quality care, and for this to be led by a person’s needs and wishes.
“The virtual ward model allows us to provide physical and mental health hospital-level oversight whilst enabling patients to remain safely at home wherever possible.”
The pilot is a joint effort between Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
So far, it has shown promising results in reducing hospital admissions. Patients are supported by teams specialising in both physical and mental health.
Dr Fraser MacNicoll, consultant psychiatrist and clinical lead for the pilot, said: “Working in this way enables us to provide the right level of specialist dementia and mental health care while people remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own surroundings.
“For people living with dementia and older adults with mental health needs, this can be especially beneficial in reducing distress, maintaining independence and involving families more closely in care.”
The approach not only aims to reduce distress, but also helps free up hospital beds for those who need them most.
The pilot is part of a wider effort to expand community-based care for older people across Sussex and could be extended further if the positive results continue.
Joanna Byers, head of nursing for rapid response and virtual wards at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We are pleased to be working together with Sussex Partnership on this pilot, which represents a strong example of effective cross-provider collaboration.”