In early October, the ACRC Team at Newcastle University (NU-ACRC) collaborated with the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East North Cumbria (ARC NENC) to host a Virtual Wards Research ‘Sandpit’ Event. ACRC's Senior Research Fellow, Beth Bareham, takes us through the day:The event took place at St James’ Park: the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne's football scene. This event drew on Research Sandpit methodology, featuring intensive interactive workshop sessions designed to encourage free thinking around evidence gaps in virtual wards research. By bringing together a diverse group of researchers, practitioners, and the public, the event aimed to explore ways of addressing gaps in the evidence through future research. The day kicked off with an introduction the NU-ACRC team, outlining our aims and providing an overview of virtual wards (including a critique of the term). We welcomed our patient/public involvement (PPI) contributors, whose input was central to shaping research priorities.The morning session began with insightful presentations on current gaps in virtual wards research. Dr Chunhu Shi drew on findings from a review of existing evidence for virtual wards; whilst Professor Hamde Nazar shared co-designed directions for virtual wards research from the perspective of an NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration. This body of work set the stage for our first activity.In our first interactive session, attendees engaged in an exercise to identify and prioritise key evidence gaps for ‘virtual wards’. Participants’ top areas and questions included:Patient Safety in Virtual WardsTargeting the ‘Right’ PatientsLong-term Impacts on Social Care UseEconomic EvaluationEquitable Outcomes.We then worked in groups to develop research questions to address priority evidence gaps. This collaborative effort resulted in a rich array of questions and ideas for development into research proposals. Lunch was of premium matchday quality, as you would expect at such an iconic venue. The groups then moved on to research planning: building on the morning’s hard work using our funding bid templates to co-create study proposals. This hands-on session encouraged collaboration and creativity, with participants moving between tables to share expertise and refine their ideas.Finally, teams were guided to create visual representations of their project ideas. This was more of a challenge, as dormant artistic skills were reawakened. Groups presented their work-in-progress, with feedback and further input from the wider diverse stakeholder group. The discussion helped to refine ideas and identify potential synergies between projects. The day concluded with final planning, where groups began to outline concrete plans for moving forward.This event has generated ideas and plans for two research bids, with participants enthusiastic to continue working together to secure funding. Our PPI contributors with lived experience as virtual ward patients enjoyed the day and appreciated the opportunity to help inform future virtual ward care through research. Their involvement added a unique and valuable perspective to the discussions and planning.We are excited to see how the ideas and collaborations that emerged from this event will shape the future of virtual wards research. A big thank you to all of our presenters, facilitators, organisers and participants for making this day so productive and inspiring. We look forward to the next steps and continuing this important work together. Publication date 26 Nov, 2024