Flu and Covid patients could be treated at home this winter on virtual wards after the treatments watchdog gave the green light.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said that hospital at home services could be used for patients with acute respiratory infections, in an attempt to free up hospital beds and save the NHS money.
Patients on virtual wards typically have vital statistics such as their temperature, heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and oxygen levels measured using wearable devices. They communicate with clinicians using an app or website, with a telephone support line. Doctors and nurses use a digital platform to monitor them remotely.
In new draft guidance, Nice said that the platforms could be used more widely in England for
