An initiative to provide care for patients in “virtual wards” such as their own homes rather than in NHS settings in England is at risk because of staff shortages, according to health leaders. The initiative has done relatively well so far, said report author Rezina Hakim, senior policy adviser at NHS Confederation, shown by the fact that in the past year the NHS successfully managed to treat more than 100 000 patients in these wards with more than 340 virtual ward programmes now running across England, totalling more than 7500 virtual beds. ”A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson questioned the claims made in the report, saying, “Good progress has been made with the NHS already rolling out 7000 virtual ward beds, an increase of almost 50% since last summer, and remaining on track to deliver 10 000 ahead of winter