Callie Field, who is eight-years-old from Emneth, became the 50th child to be cared for through the innovative virtual ward programme, which enables poorly children to be safely monitored at home using smart technology.
The virtual ward approach allows children to recover in a familiar and comfortable setting, while remaining under the expert care of the hospital’s paediatric team.
Callie was seen in the hospital’s Emergency Department with a suspected urine infection on Saturday 7 June. She returned for a check-up a few days later and instead of being admitted to hospital returned home via the Trust’s Virtual Ward.
Thanks to a virtual monitoring kit, Callie was able to rest and recuperate in the comfort of her own home whilst being monitored by clinicians at the hospital. Three days later, Callie got the ‘all clear’ and was discharged from the hospital’s care.
Callie’s mum, Claire, said: “We were so relieved Callie could come home and still be looked after. She’s much more relaxed at home and this was completely the right decision.
“We felt fully supported throughout and was reassured that there was always someone at the end of the phone if we had any problems.”
The QEH Paediatric Virtual Ward launched in May 2024 and has made a significant impact, offering safe, effective care while freeing up hospital beds for children who need them most. The service jointly lead through the Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU), at the Trust, and the children’s community nursing team, and designed to be easy for families to use, while maintaining regular contact with hospital staff.
Pippa Street, Chief Nurse at The QEH, said: “This milestone is a fantastic reflection of the commitment and innovation shown by our paediatric and community teams. Reaching 50 patients demonstrates how this model is safely transforming the way we deliver care to children and families. We know that children often recover better and faster at home, and the virtual ward makes that possible while ensuring clinical oversight remains strong. A huge thank you to our teams – and to families like Callie’s – for helping make this a success.”
As of June 2025, the virtual ward has helped children across West Norfolk and surrounding areas recover more comfortably at home, while ensuring clinical staff can continue to provide the highest standards of care. The Trust plans to continue expanding the service to support even more families where it is appropriate to do so for the child.
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