Oliver was delighted that West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust’s virtual hospital programme was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in this year’s NHS Parliamentary Awards.

Following his visit to Watford General Hospital in March, Oliver was very pleased to nominate this programme after seeing first-hand the ground-breaking care that this new pathway provides.

The virtual hospital uses technology to feed data from the patient at home to a virtual hospital hub where results are closely monitored by clinicians. This innovative programme helps reduce the length of hospital stays for thousands of patients which allows them to return home to their familiar surroundings more quickly, or even avoid hospital admissions altogether.

Mr Dowden said: ‘I am delighted that West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust’s Virtual Hospital Programme was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in this year’s NHS Parliamentary Awards.

Following my visit to Watford General in March, I was very pleased to nominate them for this prestigious Excellence in Healthcare Award after seeing first-hand the ground-breaking care they can provide through this programme.’

Oliver added: ‘Their commitment to transforming and improving patient outcomes is exemplary and I congratulate them on this great achievement.’

You will be able to find out more information about the Virtual Hospital programme here: https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/virtualhospital/