Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, visits St. Vincent’s University Hospital’s Virtual Ward

3rd April 2025

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, visited St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) yesterday, 2nd April, to witness the impact of its pioneering Virtual Ward, a ground-breaking initiative that has been operational since July 2024. The Virtual Ward enables patients to receive acute care, monitoring and treatment at home, offering a safe and efficient alternative to traditional inpatient care. Since its launch, the service has successfully treated over 523 patients in St. Vincent’s University Hospital across cardiology, respiratory and general medicine. With a capacity to manage 25-30 patients at any given time, this innovative model revolutionises the way we provide patient care resulting in improved patient outcomes, reduced hospital length of stay and increasing overall healthcare system efficiency, saving 3,820 bed days to date.

During her visit, Minister Carroll MacNeill toured the Virtual Ward’s clinical hub and met with staff working in this cutting-edge model. The service is consultant-governed and nurse-led, providing a time-limited care programme using technology, remote monitoring and virtual consultations to support patients with complex conditions like heart failure, COPD, asthma and a range of other specialties referrals, including gastroenterology, infectious diseases and neurology.

Speaking after the visit, Minister Carroll MacNeill said, “We are making great progress in advancing the delivery of healthcare, particularly with the expansion of virtual care, which is transforming how we deliver services. At St. Vincent’s University Hospital, I saw first-hand how staff deliver exceptional care through the innovative acute virtual ward. 

This initiative improves patient outcomes and provides patients with greater access and flexibility, allowing them to receive high-quality care in the comfort of their own homes. Technology empowers patients, enhances engagement and creates new opportunities to meet the evolving needs of our healthcare system.”

Key statistics:
• 523+ patients treated since July 2024
• 25-30 beds in operation at any given time
• Pathways in cardiology, respiratory and general medicine, with referrals received from gastroenterology, infectious diseases, rheumatology, gerontology, nephrology, neurology and haematology
• 3,820 bed days saved to date
• Overwhelmingly positive patient feedback for at-home recovery

Prof Charles McCreery, Clinical Lead for Cardiology at SVUH, highlighted the programme’s success, “For all our cardiac patients, the Virtual Ward has been a game-changer. It allows them to recover in the comfort of their own home while being monitored closely by our medical team. This not only results in better patient outcomes and improved patient flow but also reduces the burden on hospital resources.”

Dr Alessandro Franciosi, Consultant Respiratory Physician at SVUH, also praised the initiative, “Managing patients with respiratory conditions such as COPD and asthma has traditionally meant prolonged stays in hospital. The Virtual Ward has proven to be a highly effective alternative, enabling us to monitor and treat patients remotely while they remain in familiar surroundings. It is reassuring for both patients and healthcare professionals to know that care is continuous, even when patients are at home.”

Part of the national Virtual Ward Project, SVUH has seen significant improvements in patient flow and hospital efficiency. Looking ahead, the hospital plans to expand the service to more specialties and increase its capacity, aiming to support even more patients across Ireland, especially during peak periods.

Future vision and impact:
• Expansion to include more specialties
• Increase in capacity beyond 30 beds
• A model to inspire healthcare systems nationally and internationally

Minister Carroll MacNeill’s visit today underscores the transformative role of technological advancements in reshaping healthcare delivery. SVUH’s commitment to innovation, as demonstrated by the Virtual Ward, highlights its dedication to providing world-class, patient-centred care while addressing critical challenges like hospital overcrowding and resource strain.

For more information on the Virtual Ward and its impact, please visit www.svuh.ie