Table 1 Differences between home recovery programme and COVID virtual ward

Governing body

Ministry of Health operational arm

Hospital clinical team and clinical governance

Target population

Unvaccinated < 50 years old

Unvaccinated ≥ 50 years old

Vaccinated < 80 years old

Vaccinated ≥ 80 years old

No comorbidities

Any comorbidities (except haemodialysis)

Care model

Patient responsibility to self-monitor and escalate if unwell (recommended once daily vitals)

Clinician-supervised service

Enforced vitals up to three times daily during critical period

Aims

Safe admission avoidance for low risk patients

Reliable deterioration recognition for high risk adults

Management of chronic disease during unwell and isolation period

Clinical contact

Teleconsult once after enrolment and as requested by patient

Teleconsult daily or every other day

Home visits as required (e.g. blood tests, PICC flushes)