A virtual ward, where hospital-level care is provided at home, could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare, according to a new UK study. The research, conducted at a large acute hospital trust, reveals that a virtual ward bed emits four times less carbon than a traditional inpatient bed, supporting the NHS’s goal to become net zero by 2045.
Virtual wards, also known as hospital-at-home programs, use remote monitoring and digital tools to deliver care to patients in their own homes. These services have expanded rapidly across the UK, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, to relieve pressure on hospital beds and improve patient flow.
While previous studies have focused on the clinical and financial benefits of virtual wards, this research is among the first to investigate their environmental impact. By examining data from May 2022 to May 2023, the study compared the carbon emissions associated with virtual care and conventional inpatient stays for 1,260 patients, 728 of whom were frail and 532 with acute respiratory infections.
Carbon footprints in healthcare
Using the Greener Care at Home toolkit, the researchers calculated emissions from key activities such as A&E visits, transport (ambulance or car), diagnostics, and GP or community care contacts. They analysed a sample of 30 patients manually and extended the findings to the full cohort using digital health records.
The results were clear: an average hospital bed day emitted 37.9 kg of CO₂, compared to just 8.8 kg for a virtual ward bed day. Over the course of the study, virtual ward care avoided approximately 285 metric tons of CO₂ emissions.
Efficiency without sacrificing capacity
Though these avoided emissions do not reduce the hospital’s overall carbon footprint—since inpatient beds remain occupied—they do allow hospitals to treat more patients without building new infrastructure. “Virtual wards increase capacity and enable low-carbon care without requiring the construction of new high-carbon hospitals,” the researchers note.
This approach aligns with NHS England's target of 40 to 50 virtual ward beds per 100,000 people and reflects a broader move towards sustainable healthcare models. The study was recently published in BMJ Innovations.
Challenges and opportunities
The study also highlights the complexities of measuring carbon emissions in care pathways. Home energy use, for example, was estimated using government averages (7.4 kg CO₂/day), and not all patient journeys fit predefined models.
Still, the researchers conclude that virtual wards represent a sustainable, scalable model that meets the “triple bottom line” of healthcare: high-quality care, cost-effectiveness, and environmental responsibility. As populations grow and demands on health systems increase, virtual care models may help deliver efficient, resource-conscious solutions without compromising care.
Sustainable healthcare
Recently, Philips enhanced its sustainability impact, achieving 24% circular sales and ensuring all 2024 product launches were EcoDesigned, benefiting 1.96 billion users worldwide. Its eco‑friendly innovations include helium‑free MRI systems with BlueSeal magnet technology, saving over 2.75 million liters of helium, and PowerSave+ energy‑saving features.
Philips also expanded its “Refurb Edition” for consumer devices and increased procurement from suppliers with science‑based climate targets to 48%. With robust ESG reporting aligned to EU regulations, Philips is on track to positively impact 2.5 billion lives annually by 2030 through sustainable, circular healthcare innovation.
