The South Eastern Trust’s innovative ‘Hospital at Home’ service has now rolled out across the Down area. Launched in May 2023 in the North Down & Ards area, this ground-breaking service provides Consultant-led hospital-level care to people over 65 and those living with complex health conditions, in the comfort of their own homes or care home setting, helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.
The Hospital at Home Multi-disciplinary Team consists of medical, nursing, pharmacy and allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, dieticians and occupational therapists , all working under the clinical leadership of Consultants.
By working in close partnership with existing community services, Hospital at Home delivers targeted interventions that ensure patients receive the highest standard of care in familiar surroundings. This approach not only enhances patient comfort but also reduces the pressures on hospital resources.
Since its launch, the service has demonstrated remarkable success, with many patients benefiting from expert care delivered at home.
Michaela Hollywood, who has been living with a genetic condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy since birth, has seen the benefits of the service first-hand. Michaela said, “I cannot overstate enough how much the transition to home-based care really helps. Life is short when you live with complex health conditions, every day you get is a bonus. So being able to continue to live that life as much as possible even when you are unwell is so important.”
Michaela explained that going into hospital is not as simple as it may seem, “I have a lot of specialised equipment which is not standard. I have to bring my own shower chair, wheelchair and ventilator.
“With Hospital at Home, I can continue my life as normal when I need hospital intervention.”
The South Eastern Trust’s Director of Older People and Primary Care, Veronica Cleland, is delighted to see the expansion of the Hospital at Home Service into the Down area. Veronica added, “We have been operating the Hospital at Home service in the North Down and Ards area for a number of years with such positive feedback from people who have used the service. Hospital at Home will compliment and work seamlessly with existing community and acute services, including the Downe Acute Frailty Unit.
“The Trust has prioritised investment to develop this service to support people to receive acute care at home. The service will support the Trust in delivering the Health Minister’s strategic vision of providing care closer to home, as outline in the recently published Reset Plan.
“I am also pleased to share that In the coming weeks the Trust will expand the service further to deliver the Hospital at Home service in the Lisburn area.”