NHS: Sunak government to unveil ‘virtual’ hospital wards plan

Around 50,000 people a month could receive support at home

Rishi Sunak’s government is set to announce plans to treat more than half a million patients a year in “virtual” hospital wards as part of a plan to reform urgent and emergency care.

The Department of Health and Social Care said about 50,000 elderly and vulnerable people could receive tailored support at home each month, as part of a strategy to shift some NHS care out of hard-pressed hospitals.

Around 3,000 virtual beds are due to be created before next winter.