Media release: New report finds Scotland’s Hospital at Home services going from strength to strength
A report published today has found that the continued expansion of Hospital at Home services across Scotland has saved more than £50 million in healthcare costs and prevented around 15,500 people having to stay in hospital for treatment in the last year.
The figures were revealed in a report published today by Healthcare Improvement Scotland – the organisation responsible for supporting the national Hospital at Home programme.
The report shows in 2024-25:
- Around £16 million saved as Hospital at Home admissions in most cases cost less than hospital admissions
- An estimated £39 million saved due to reduced healthcare usage in the six months following hospital at home discharge
- Hospital at Home prevented 15,470 people spending time in hospital
- More than 1,600 patients were treated on average each month – up from 1,400 on the previous year
- More than 650 extra hospital beds and almost 500 care home admissions would have been required over the year if hospital at home services did not exist
Belinda Robertson, Associate Director of Improvement at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said:
“It seems that Hospital at Home is very much here to stay. We are finding that more NHS boards are not just increasing the numbers receiving acute hospital care at home, but that their services are maturing, becoming more efficient and being set up in such a way as to ensure they are sustainable.
“Making sure that Hospital at Home services are sustainable in terms of resources and capacity has been one of our main focuses over the past year and we’re delighted to see Scotland’s NHS boards achieving this.
“For patients, the benefits of being able to be treated in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes is clear to see and this is set to continue.”
Associate Director of Improvement, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
The Hospital at Home service mostly provides care for frail, older people in their own homes who may be suffering with acute illnesses and health conditions such as respiratory and cardiac issues, infections, or require treatment after a fall.
Keeping patients in their own homes means they can stay in familiar surroundings without the need to separate them from family, friends and pets, whilst also helping to reduce the risks associated with hospital admissions, such as increased risk of catching infections and a decrease in mobility and independence.
Bill Denholm (85) from Stenhousemuir was recently treated by NHS Forth Valley’s Hospital at Home team. His wife Marion (82) said:
“There are no words to adequately describe the care and attention Bill received.
“We’ve had doctors, advanced nurse practitioners, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, a dietitian and a speech and language therapist all visit our home to provide the care and treatment he required so he didn’t have to go into hospital.
“This meant he was able to stay in familiar surroundings with his family and still receive the same type of care he would have in hospital. I also felt very supported as I could contact the Hospital at Home team direct if I had any worries or concerns.
“I can’t praise the Hospital at Home service enough. It makes so much more sense to treat people in their own homes if you can rather than occupy a bed in a busy hospital. It’s definitely a win-win for everyone involved.”
Her husband was treated by NHS Forth Valley’s Hospital at Home team
Neil Gray, Health Secretary, said:
“This report shows we are delivering personal, efficient and reliable care to patients across the country. Our expansion of Hospital at Home means more people will benefit from first-class NHS care in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. By increasing capacity to 2,000 beds by December 2026, we’re on track to create the largest ‘hospital’ in Scotland— bringing care closer to where people live and need it most.
“I am delighted to see the positive impact Hospital at Home is having across Scotland, particularly for elderly patients who can now receive high-quality care without the need to travel to hospital. I am grateful to all of the partners who are delivering this service and look forward to its further expansion in the months ahead.”
Health Secretary
First Minister John Swinney recently announced funding of £85 million which will allow 2,000 beds across Scotland to be made available through the Hospital at Home service.
The full Hospital at Home annual report is available online.
Ends
Notes to editor
Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s statutory role is to help improve the quality of health and care, provide information to the public about the quality of health and care services, monitor public involvement, and to evaluate and provide advice on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of medicines and health technologies.
Attached is a pic of Bill and Marion Denholm, from Stenhousemuir. Pic courtesy of Michael Gillen.
