Whether it considers that Hospital at Home, which it haspromoted for several years, remains a key solution in resolving pressures onhospita…

The Scottish Government considers Hospital at Home to be an important part of the solution to reducing pressure on hospitals and improving flow across the health and care system. Evidence published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland demonstrates that Hospital at Home provides a safe and effective alternative to hospital admission for many patients. Its latest annual reporting shows more than 17,000 people aged 65 and over avoided a hospital stay through access to Hospital at Home services across Scotland.However, as set out in the recently published Health and Care Improving Flow Plan, improving hospital performance requires a whole-system approach. Hospital at Home is one element of a wider package of measures including same-day care, improved discharge processes, frailty services, urgent care redesign and strengthened community-based support.Together, these measures, supported by Public Health Scotland's evidence showing continued growth in Hospital at Home services, are expected to improve patient flow, reduce pressure on acute services, and contribute to improve Emergency Department performance.Evaluation of Hospital at Home services is ongoing. The findings from Phase 1 were published in June and are available on the Scottish Government website. Phase 2 will focus on further analysis of Hospital at Home services, including their impact on key NHS Scotland performance indicators and wider system outcomes.