Ronan Kitchin leads the Life Sciences & Healthcare division at Aramex UK, a multinational logistics and courier provider, discusses what it will take from a transport and logistics perspective to continue to deliver this more remote manner of healthcare, one that’s only gaining traction in the UK.

Revolutionary technology is reforming healthcare in the UK, with a prime example being the NHS’s commitment to expanding its virtual ward programme. In September 2023, the health service successfully achieved its target of delivering 10,000 virtual ward beds, a particularly promising accomplishment as it coincides with one of the busiest times for the healthcare system. Research indicates that virtual wards can reduce readmission rates by 50% and save the NHS over £1,000 per patient. Since April 2022, nearly a quarter of a million (240,000) patients have received successful treatment through virtual wards.

The increasing popularity of virtual wards

The popularity of hospital-at-home services, such as virtual wards, is on the rise. They offer numerous benefits, not only for the patients they serve but also for the staff working in our hospitals and clinics. Ask any inpatient where they’d like to be, and 99% will likely answer ‘home’. These environments are familiar, lack the constant noise of medical equipment, and are more accessible for loved ones who wish to visit during illnesses.

However, these at-home hospitals heavily rely on medical devices. Devices like blood pressure monitors no longer seem out of place next to your sofa, and non-medical wearables, such as a Fitbit, are making technologies like biometric sensors more mainstream. As more advanced medical technologies find their way into our homes, there’s a growing need for specialised transport and logistics (T&L) to ensure the safe and efficient movement of these highly specialised, sensitive, and often expensive devices to support the healthcare system’s transformation from physical to virtual wards.

Remote treatment for critical conditions

Take heart failure as a prime example – treatment is shifting from clinical settings to the comfort of patients’ homes. In the UK, approximately 200,000 people receive a heart failure diagnosis each year, accounting for 5% of all emergency hospital admissions. By expanding the virtual ward scheme to include heart failure treatment, the NHS aims to empower patients to manage and understand their condition from the comfort of their homes. 

Advances in medical technology enable individuals with heart failure to monitor their own heart rhythm and electrical activity using an ECG machine in their homes. The recorded data is sent to clinicians for review on the virtual heart failure ward, and coupled with a call or video consultation, clinical teams can conduct a remote but comprehensive assessment of the patient’s condition.

Investment in virtual wards

The expansion of virtual wards to manage complex conditions like heart failure is monumental, highlighting the transformation of once-futuristic healthcare concepts into reality. With continuous advancements in medtech, the planning and development of specialised T&L infrastructure is crucial to sustain this transformative momentum that has the potential to change lives.

The government recently announced a £30 million investment in innovative technology for the NHS. Integrated care systems are invited to bid for funding to invest in the latest medical technologies, including devices designed to support virtual wards. These technologies range from monitors for managing conditions like diabetes to wearable ultrasound scanners for cancer detection. Specialised components are also integral to the sourcing, manufacturing, and production of these devices.

Logistics of moving medtech

As medical equipment becomes more advanced and sensitive, the materials they are made from are also evolving. Consequently, more specialised transportation is required to move modern medtech safely and efficiently. These devices, often made of niche materials, are more susceptible to environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and vibrations, necessitating meticulous consideration in T&L operations.

IoT sensors offer a digital solution to safeguard medtech as it moves into the hands of patients. These sensors can track individual or groups of medical devices, providing real-time location data to prevent loss or theft and monitor environmental factors to prevent spoilage. Protecting these devices throughout the logistical process is crucial, not only for their effectiveness but also for cost efficiency.

Furthermore, each medical device comes with a price tag, which increases significantly if the device is damaged or broken during transport. Security, protection, and visibility over the movements of devices in our medical supply chains is more critical than ever to support the continued manufacturing, use, and benefits of these exceptional devices. This also supports the wider benefits of their reuse and recycling, ultimately contributing to a more circular healthcare economy.

As the healthcare system transitions towards a more virtual approach, the physical aspect of the virtual ward is paramount for the wellbeing of patients and the efficiency of healthcare delivery.