The number of patients using Hospital at Home in Scotland rose by almost a quarter last year, it has been revealed, as funding allocations for NHS boards were announced.
A total of 13 local healthcare providers have been allocated a share of £3.6 million for Hospital at Home for older people to help ease pressure on frontline acute services.
Hospital at Home offers an alternative to admission to an acute hospital, with almost 15,000 older patients using the service in 2023/24 and this funding will support the continuation and development of existing programmes.
NHS Borders has been allocated £600,000, with a further 12 healthcare partners also receiving a share of the allocation.
Confirmation of the awards comes as a new report from Healthcare Improvement Scotland highlights the impact that the Hospital at Home service for older people has had in 2023-24. The findings show:
- 14,467 patients used Hospital at Home in 2023, up from 11,686 in the previous year
- total bed numbers increased by 58%, ahead of the Scottish Government’s 50% target
- an estimated £14.9 million was saved in traditional hospital admission costs
- a further estimated £36.3 million was saved in post-hospital care due to a reduction in re-admissions
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I am very pleased to see the progress that local health providers are making on delivering Hospital at Home services and the positive impact it is having, particularly on elderly patients.
“Hospital at Home allows patients to receive acute treatment in an environment that they feel comfortable and familiar with.
“There are more Hospital at Home beds for older people available and an increasing number of patients are choosing to use the service.
“Hospital at Home gives people greater independence during their recovery. 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.”
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
