We are proud to be part of a pioneering new partnership, as we announce the implementation of 16 digital pathways across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care System (LLR ICS).

The wards are powered by, which helps patients to access treatment and support from the comfort of their own homes.

In total, the ambitious project will see over one million patients across the region have access to treatment and support remotely.

The partnership will support the scaling up of virtual wards and improve long-term condition management across primary, secondary and community integrated care pathways.

Focusing on 16 key clinical areas, this ambitious project makes LLR ICS one of the most digitally advanced ICSs in the country, despite only being formally established on 1st July 2022.

The digital pathways include Heart Failure, Frailty, Respiratory (COPD, Bronchiectasis, Asthma), Colorectal Cancer, Haematology, end-of-life care, Diabetes, COVID-19 and Obstructive Jaundice.

Talking about the partnership, Dr. Caroline Trevithick, Chief Nursing Officer/Deputy Chief Executive for NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: “Having the right technology partner is crucial in a successful virtual ward to keep everything running smoothly and ensure patients and health professionals feel supported at all times. Spirit Health have been working with local NHS organisations during the pandemic on the pilot virtual ward schemes and we are delighted to be continuing our journey with them as we expand the virtual ward programme in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.”

This new system-wide partnership follows previous successful pilots and projects with Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) across COPD, Heart Failure and COVID-19, with data indicating that there were estimated savings to the health system of £529,719.

Oliver Newbould, NHS England Locality Director for Leicester and Leicestershire, added: “It’s great to see the innovation and commitment of teams across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland who are caring for more and more patients in their home using technology, when previously they would have been in hospital. Using this technology will benefit patients, free up clinician time, and help us to reduce the Covid backlogs.”

Key aims of the partnership are to improve patient outcomes and choice, enhance the quality of care, free up local hospital bed space, and increase NHS capacity.

The technology will also support LLR ICS to achieve NHS England’s target to deliver 40-50 virtual ward beds per 100,000 population by December 2023.

Dr Noel O'Kelly, Medical Director and Co-Founder of Clinitouch, added: “Implementing new digital services like virtual wards and remote patient monitoring truly represents the next step in bolstering the NHS and ensuring patients are able to access tailored, consistent and reliable care from the comfort of their own homes.

"We are excited to be partnering with LLR to further drive transformational change across the region and unlock the significant potential of technology in healthcare.”

You can follow the latest updates from the Leicester virtual ward rollout here.