The Scottish Government has announced a fresh investment in its Hospital at Home for Older People service.
It has allocated £3.6 million for 2024-25, bringing the the total since 2020 to over £15 million.
It has also published an update on the service, saying it prevented over 14,400 people spending time in hospital between April 2023 and March 2024. It was used by 14,467 patients in Scotland, up from 11,686 over the previous 12 months.
Hospital at Home is a remote care scheme which supports people to receive acute support treatments, such as an intravenous drip or oxygen supply, at home. It also provides access to hospital tests under the care of a consultant from a patient’s home.
It provides a similar function to the virtual wards on which there has been an increasing emphasis by NHS England.
Sustainable services
Belinda Robertson, associate director of improvement, Healthcare Improvement Scotland said: “This announcement of additional funding will continue to improve access to Hospital at Home services and make them more sustainable to the benefit of patients across Scotland. It’s heartening to see that Hospital at Home services prevented over 14,400 people spending time in hospital over the past year.
“Moreover, with our support we’ve witnessed more NHS boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships embracing Hospital at Home by establishing and developing services.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “There are more Hospital at Home beds available and an increasing number of patients choosing to use the service.
“Hospital at Home gives people greater independence during their recovery process. Evidence shows that those benefitting from the service are more likely to avoid hospital or care home stays for up to six months after an acute illness.
“It is also one of a range of measures that we have put in place to tackle delayed discharge numbers and free up beds within our hospitals.”
