HSE advertises for technology to roll out 'virtual wards'

The move to a virtual ward system, in addition to removing strain from the bed capacity of individual hospitals, should have the added benefit of reducing incidences of 'hospital-acquired harm' such as infections.

The HSE has advertised for the provision of technology to help it establish a "virtual ward" care model within the health service, at a projected eventual cost of €500m.

Virtual wards, otherwise known as "hospital at home", are aimed at providing hospital-level care for patients in their homes, with the joint goal of speeding up recoveries in familiar settings while freeing up hospital beds.