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More than 4,000 NHS patients in Hertfordshire have benefited from the Hospital at Home service in its first year.

Since its launch in January 2022, Hertfordshire’s Hospital at Home service has been providing care that traditionally takes place in a hospital to patients in the comfort of their own home.

This includes face-to-face nursing care and therapy, as well as remote monitoring services for a range of conditions for up to two weeks. This care is provided by doctors, nurses, therapists and pharmacists.

Developments over the past year include increasing the number of frail, unwell patients who can be cared for at home, working with the East of England Ambulance Service Trust to identify patients suitable for Hospital at Home to avoid unnecessary hospital visits, and a pilot which saw patients at Lister Hospital in Stevenage get home sooner after a knee or hip operation.

Building on Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust’s Prevention of Admission service which began in March 2020 in response to the pandemic, Hospital at Home now cares for patients with a wide range of needs including treatment for acute infections, lung conditions and blood clots.

Reflecting on the first anniversary, Dr Elizabeth Kendrick, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust’s medical director, said: “It has been fantastic to see the development of our Hospital at Home service over the past year.

“We have helped thousands of people to stay independent, avoid hospital-related complications, and even improve their recovery time thanks to being at home.

“The added benefit for the NHS is that Hospital at Home also reduces the pressure on acute hospital services. It is a great example of how health and care partnerships can work together for the benefit of our patients – and we continue to look at how we can improve and develop the service going forwards.”

You can find out more about Hospital at Home on our website.