Two thirds of consultants keen to staff new NHS virtual hospital

The new NHS Online virtual hospital will transform how millions of patients access specialist care from home.

Specialist support for the NHS Online virtual hospital

Almost two thirds of NHS consultants are eager to work for the health service’s upcoming digital hospital. A new poll of nearly 300 specialists found that 60% want to join the service alongside their current roles.

The virtual hospital aims to modernise healthcare by connecting patients with experts across England through the NHS App. This digital network removes geographical barriers to expert advice.

NHS England lead clinicians confirm the service will deliver up to 8.5 million virtual appointments in its first three years. This volume is four times higher than the capacity of an average physical NHS trust.

Flexible working and faster patient triage

Nearly half of the doctors surveyed are willing to offer at least four hours a week to the platform. They cited flexible working and innovative patient care as their primary motivations.

The service will provide triage and video consultations for common conditions. Initially, the list included menopause and prostate problems.

Clinicians have now expanded this to include recurring urinary tract infections and suspected polycystic ovaries. Patients will have the option to choose this digital route when their GP makes a referral.

Professor Stella Vig, National Clinical Director for Elective Care, praised the overwhelming support from her colleagues. She believes the service will make a significant difference in patient convenience.

Professor Stella Vig said: “NHS Online will transform the way we deliver planned care, offering patients the choice to have an online appointment with a specialist anywhere in England.”

Cutting wait times through digital innovation

The government's 10 Year Health Plan focuses on a shift from analogue to digital services. Health Minister Zubir Ahmed noted that "every day matters" when patients are waiting for a diagnosis.

Zubir Ahmed said: “By turbocharging the NHS with the latest technology, NHS Online will let people see specialist doctors faster – from the comfort of their own home.”

Traditional face-to-face care will remain available for those who prefer or require in-person visits. Physical tests, such as scans and procedures, will still occur at local healthcare sites.

However, remote triage and note reviews can now happen outside traditional office hours. This streamlines the clinical pathway from referral to follow-up care.

Professor Stella Vig added: “We’ve also expanded the list of conditions which NHS Online will treat, so that even more patients will be able to benefit when the service launches next year.”

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official clinical data from NHS England. Document: Two thirds of consultants want to work for new NHS online hospital Source Link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/03/two-thirds-of-consultants-want-to-work-for-new-nhs-online-hospital/

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