Home care isn't merely a desirable option - it's the forthcoming dimension of healthcare.
In a thoughtful piece, author Chris, with over 15 years of experience in the NHS and private health and social care organizations, argues for increased financial support for local authorities to strengthen the home-care system. This decentralization, Chris contends, is crucial for managing rising healthcare costs and preventing hospitals from becoming overloaded.
The author's proposal aligns with a clinical trial published in The Lancet, which found that flexible home care packages led to a 35% reduction in unplanned hospital visits, saving an average of £586 per person to the NHS over the year of the study.
However, the plan does not address how the shift to home-based care will be funded, nor is there much sign that local authorities will get the extra support they need to make this shift work. Chris suggests treating health funding as one national pot, ensuring equal allocation for hospitals, community care, and care at home.
Local authorities, not the NHS, commission much of the care work in England. Care at home is crucial to relieve pressure on the NHS by managing long-term conditions earlier and preventing deterioration. Technology exists to monitor health conditions at home, such as tracking blood pressure, oxygen levels, and mobility.
Chris emphasizes the importance of making care at home smarter, faster, and more human to improve overall system efficiency. A technology tool has been piloted that condenses six months of care records into a short, clear summary, improving care delivery and reducing friction.
A strong at-home care model should be flexible, responsive, and person-centered, with real-time care planning to adjust support based on daily conditions. The author argues that giving people the support they need where they live can lead to better functioning of the entire system.
The UK government recently released a 10-Year Health Plan, focusing on GPs, waiting times, and workforce investment. However, the author contends that real investment in care at home is necessary to prevent hospitals from doing too much, too late. The vision in the NHS 10-Year Plan is supported, but more action is required to make home-based care the default.
Chris does not reiterate the fact that 13,000 beds a day are occupied by patients who are medically fit for discharge in England, but the implication is clear: shifting care out of hospitals, treating people earlier, and moving more services into communities is essential for a more efficient NHS. If we're serious about care at home, we have to fund local authorities to commission and monitor that care properly.
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