Medway's Virtual Hospital win in first national NHS Excellence Awards

Staff at Medway Maritime Hospital are celebrating national recognition after their pioneering Virtual Hospital service won the Delivering Value Award at the inaugural NHS Excellence Awards this week.

The award – one of ten new accolades introduced to highlight outstanding innovation across the NHS – recognises the hospital’s success in transforming how patients are safely cared for at home, with the support of advanced remote‑monitoring technology.

Members of the hospital’s Surgical Medical Acute Recovery Team (SMART), who run the Virtual Hospital, received their award at NHS ConfedExpo in Manchester on Wednesday 10 June.

The Virtual Hospital enables people who would otherwise need a hospital bed to receive hospital-level care in the comfort of their own home, safely supported by remote monitoring technology, daily virtual ward rounds, and rapid escalation when needed.

The service has grown significantly since its origins as a traditional ‘hospital at home’ service which supported up to 30 patients between 8am to 8pm, established during the Covid pandemic.

It has since expanded into a 150 bed Virtual Hospital operating 24/7, helping more patients than ever before outside of a traditional ward, reducing pressure on hospital beds and improving patient experience. It has helped patients recover faster, avoid unnecessary hospital stays, and stay connected to their families and support networks.

patient Lauren Hann and her mum Sinead Hann

In just three months, the service saved almost 5,000 bed days and created capacity equivalent to 54 inpatient beds per month. Many patients report feeling more confident, more independent and less anxious when recovering at home, while still receiving the same level of clinical oversight.

One patient who was cared for by the Virtual Hospital was Lauren Hann, 22, who has significant physical and learning disabilities and complex medical issues.

Sinead Hann, Lauren’s mother and advocate, said: “I really don’t know where we would be without the incredible staff of the SMART team. We don’t think Lauren would have recovered as she has done – or at all. Knowing they were there 24/7 was our safety net.”

Siobhan Callanan, Interim Chief Executive, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which operates the hospital, said: “We are extremely proud that our Virtual Hospital has received this national recognition. We have transformed the way some patients are cared for and are committed to its continued expansion so that even more patients can receive hospital care in the comfort of their own homes.

“This is truly a team effort, with colleagues from many different areas – including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others – working together to care for patients remotely, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Anne Eden, Regional Director for NHS England South East, said: “Huge congratulations to Medway NHS Foundation Trust on this well-deserved national recognition. Their Virtual Hospital is a brilliant example of the NHS 10-Year Health Plan in action – shifting care from hospital to home, improving patient experience and delivering better value for the NHS.

“This is innovation with real impact and is helping to really transform the way we care for patients and deliver improvements, and I’m delighted to see it celebrated on the national stage.”

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