As reported by the National Health Executive, caring for patients with serious conditions in their own homes could deliver far greater benefits than previously understood, according to a major new study suggesting the approach can cut costs, ease hospital pressure and improve patient experience
The most comprehensive evaluation to date of the “Hospital at Home” model examined a virtual care service run by West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in partnership with Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust.
Published on 8 April in Frontiers in Digital Health, the peer reviewed study analysed outcomes for 3,000 patients treated between April 2023 and April 2024. It found strong levels of patient support, with 95.8 per cent saying they preferred receiving care at home and 98.3 per cent reporting they felt safe during treatment.
The research also highlighted significant financial advantages. Hospital at Home care was estimated to cost £118.49 per bed day, compared with £569 for standard inpatient treatment. Patients receiving early supported discharge spent on average 2.8 fewer days in care than similar hospital patients, generating savings of £486 per patient. For admission avoidance cases, savings rose to £3,652 per patient.
Overall, the programme delivered net savings of £1.33 million over a 12-month period.
Researchers say the findings strengthen the case for expanding virtual hospital services across the National Health Service, pointing to a combination of improved patient satisfaction, reduced hospital stays and substantial cost savings.
