In light of the aim of Hospital at Home to reduce pressure on acute hospitals, what its response is to hospital occupancy and delayed disch…

Hospital at Home is an important part of our wider programme to reduce pressure on acute hospitals and improve patient flow across the health and care system. However, we recognise that hospital occupancy and delayed discharge remain significant challenges, reflecting pressures across the whole system.The Scottish Government has been clear that no one should remain in hospital when they no longer need to be there. Evidence from Healthcare Improvement Scotland shows that Hospital at Home helps prevent delays associated with patients remaining in hospital which is linked to poorer outcomes, including increased risk of hospital-acquired infection, reduced mobility and poorer wellbeing. By providing acute hospital-level care in a person's home, Hospital at Home can support timely discharge and reduce the need for prolonged hospital stays.The recently published National Flow Plan 2026-2031 sets out a comprehensive programme of action to address these issues. Reducing delayed discharge is one of the Plan's key priorities, with a strengthened focus on Discharge Without Delay, Home First and Discharge to Assess approaches. These models support people to leave hospital as soon as they are clinically ready, with discharge planning beginning on day one of admission and health and social care services working together to ensure patients recover in the most appropriate setting.Alongside this, we are expanding Hospital at Home, virtual care, online and telephone consultations, remote monitoring and care-at-home services. These alternatives to inpatient care will help ensure more people can receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, reducing demand for hospital beds where clinically appropriate.