BBC highlights virtual ward solution for NHS digital transformation

The NHS is at a critical turning point, with pressures from growing waiting lists, workforce shortages, and inefficiencies affecting patient outcomes across the board. As highlighted in the recent BBC article, “Six NHS Schemes That Could Help Fix the Health Service”, innovative digital solutions like virtual wards are becoming key to overcoming these challenges. 

At Definition Health, we are proud to be part of this transformation. The BBC article highlights virtual wards, a solution we provide through our Definition Recovery platform, which includes patient video diaries. This feature allows patients to stay engaged in their recovery journey by sharing updates remotely, improving communication with healthcare teams and reducing the need for unnecessary in-person appointments. These tools have been successfully implemented in partnership with the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC), one of the UK's leading surgical hubs. The adoption of these solutions has already helped to reduce surgery cancellations, improve recovery outcomes, and optimise hospital capacity.

SWLEOC’s use of these digital solutions has not only transformed surgical care but has also been recognised through several prestigious awards. At the Health Service Journal Patient Safety Awards 2024, they won the Virtual or Remote Care Initiative of the Year and the Safety Improvement through Technology Award, and were highly commended for Patient Safety in Elective Recovery. These accolades highlight the impact that digital innovation is having on improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency in surgical care.

In addition to the BBC’s coverage, ITV News recently highlighted SWLEOC’s recovery efforts, showcasing how their use of virtual wards, including patient video diaries through Definition Recovery, is supporting better surgical outcomes. You can read more about the ITV coverage in our blog post here.

As the conversation around NHS reform continues, it’s clear that digital innovation will play a central role in delivering more efficient, patient-centred care. If you’d like to learn more about how Definition Health’s Smart Surgery Solution is driving this transformation, get in touch with our team to explore how we can help your organisation.