Working Life: Virtual wards service allows patients to receive hospital-level care in their home

Aoife Halpin, clinical nurse manager, Virtual Ward, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin

Aoife Halpin, clinical nurse manager, Virtual Ward, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin

6.30am

I tend to leave home at around this time, arriving at work at St Vincent’s University Hospital before 7am. I start with a check-in with the night staff to see how their shift went and if any issues arose. Then, I do a quick scan of emails and my calendar to check what national meetings I have. I’m involved in our virtual-wards service, a new HSE project that allows suitable patients to receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their home. Using advanced technology, we provide remote monitoring and treatment. St Vincent’s is one of the first sites selected to offer the new service to patients.