Hospital at Home Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible for the Hospital at Home service?

Adult patients aged over 18 with appropriate care needs in hospital if they adhere to the four A’s criteria:

Age - majority older adults, but anyone over the age of 18

Area- Eildon, Cheviot, or another locality, subject to service capacity.

Appropriate care - independent or care needs met by care givers or family

Attendance - needs met by Hospital at Home team based on clinical need, either by telephone consultation, or by visits up to two times a day.

Has the service been tested before and is it safe?

The concept of delivering acute healthcare within the home is not new.  NHS Borders has been delivering acute care for two years and has reviewed its outcomes compared to hospital care.  We have not seen any difference in safety between care at home and care in hospital.

What are the benefits to the patient?

Hospital at Home provides safe, effective, person-centred assessment and intervention. This is equal to that received in an acute hospital setting, but delivered in the comfort of your home. Research shows that recovery is much faster in a familiar, comfortable environment. You will receive a personalised treatment plan. You will remain under the care of your consultant until completion of treatment.

What are the hours of operation?

08:00 - 18:00 Monday to Sunday

Do you have the same staffing as a hospital?

There are similarities between a ward and Hospital at Home. Your care is consultant led and supported by a team of nurses with advanced practice skills. Your care needs will be met by yourself if independent or your current care givers. We may look at extra support in the short time if your acute illness has affected your function.

What happens if a patient needs to be readmitted due to deterioration of health?

If your condition changes during your treatment and we are no longer able to meet your healthcare needs at home, we will talk with you about next steps.  This may include continuing care at home with more intensive Hospital at Home support, attending an urgent hospital clinic for further tests that cannot be done at home, or being admitted to hospital if needed.  We will work with you to decide what is best for you.

Do I have a choice if I am cared for by the Hospital at Home service?

Yes, others may prefer to be in a more traditional hospital environment. We will provide person-centred assessment and intervention. We will start with where you would like to be - home or hospital.

How long would I be expected to stay under the care of Hospital at Home?

Most patients will be under the care of Hospital at Home for between 1 day and 2 weeks. An average length of stay would be under a week.

What will happen if I need more support while under the care of Hospital at Home?

The team will talk to you every day about how you are managing your everyday activities. If you need extra help and support, we can make a referral to the local social work team. They will look at the options available to you. If you need support 24 hours a day, we will discuss hospital admission. This could be the Borders General Hospital or one or our community hospitals.

Will my home be assessed before I am admitted to Hospital at Home?

We will do our best to deliver your assessment and intervention in your home environment. This is dependent on it being safe for you and our staff.

If I am cared for by the Hospital at Home Service, will this affect my package of care?

Being cared for by the Hospital at Home service will not affect your package of care. This is regardless of your length of stay and is one of the main advantages of the service.

How will my suitability to be discharged from the Hospital at Home service be assessed?

The team will talk to you about when you are ready for discharge. This will usually be at the point when your care is suitable for your GP and community nursing teams to resume.

What will happen after I am discharged from Hospital at Home?

After discharge, you will receive a copy of your discharge letter. It will summarise your admission with us. Your GP will also receive a copy. This will include your current medication list and note any changes we have agreed with you. You will receive the team's office telephone number. You can use this number is you have any questions you would like to ask about your care in the 7-14 days after discharge. For any further new medical problems, you would get in touch with your GP in the usual manner.

What conditions are not usually included in Hospital at Home?

• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Orthopaedic admissions with lower limb fractures
• Surgical presentations including abdominal pain
• Unstable patients, for example with bleeding, High National Early Warning Score (NEWS)
• Asthma

However if you wish to be cared for at home we will consider any presentation and talk to you about the risks and benefits of care at home.

What if I need additional equipment?

If you required additional equipment to support you at home, we can order it for you, with the appropriate level of priority.

What if I need to use hoists?

If you need extra equipment to support you at home, we can order it for you with an appropriate level of priority.

What if I have complex needs?

Your assessment before admission takes into account your existing care package. The Hospital at Home team provides intervention and monitoring for your acute episode. Your existing care provider will provide on-going care support.

What about my future care needs?

We will have a conversation with you about future care and what we would do if you become more unwell.  This is a normal part of our care process.