Virtual Wards

(asked on 13th November 2025) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many virtual wards there are in the NHS across England.


Answered by
Karin Smyth Portrait
Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
This question was answered on 24th November 2025

In October 2025, there were 12,588 virtual ward beds across England, with 10,049 being occupied by patients.

Whilst there is currently no specific national target for the number of virtual ward beds, the NHS England 2025/26 operational planning guidance includes a priority to improve access to care services at home or in the community, including virtual wards.

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