Background Promoting avoidance of acute hospital/hospice admissions is a key national agenda item (National Palliative and End of Life Care Partnership. Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care: A national framework for local action 2021–2026). Developing and improving connections across community services will support the ability to manage palliative care crisis in a timely manner. Streamlining access to services for patients who require input from multiple teams will ensure resources are more effectively used across the system. Different ways of responding to these needs have been explored, such as using a rapid response model (Kim, Lee, Park, et al. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2020;37(11):943–949) or a virtual ward (Barry, Grant, Wung. Future Healthc J. 2022;9(Suppl 2):22).

Aim To examine the effect of a virtual ward versus a rapid response service to respond to palliative care needs in the community to achieve preferred place of death (PPD).

Method A retrospective data analysis was conducted, exploring the number of hospital admissions and PPD over the 3 month period before death. Patient records from a London borough with an urgent response model were compared with a newly established virtual ward palliative care service in a neighbouring borough. Data collection is capped at thirty patients per model and includes demographic and diagnostic information. Data will be collected from the hospice electronic patient records system as well as from third party records.

Results 30 records from each model are being analysed. Initial data shows a similar demographic set across both boroughs. Three key acute settings were identified, one in each area and one shared. Patients were held on the virtual ward for a maximum of 7 days (Monday-Friday), unless imminently dying. The rapid response model is based on a 7 day service.

Conclusion Urgent palliative needs are met in the community by both service delivery models. Following initial data analysis it appears that PPD is more likely to be achieved under a virtual ward model, with fewer hospital/hospice admissions. Some patients may experience both models of care.