Hospital at Home provides care that traditionally takes place in a hospital to Hertfordshire 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.
You can find more information about Hospital at Home in our patient information leaflet.
Who can be referred to Hospital at Home?
Hospital at Home is currently open to patients with a GP in East and North Hertfordshire who are aged 18 or over. Referrals can be made by any healthcare professional who has assessed the patient as suitable for the service.
When might I be referred to Hospital at Home?
Health professionals (such as your GP or your doctor in hospital) may refer you to the Hospital at Home service. This means you could avoid going into hospital in the first place – or return home sooner from a stay at Lister Hospital, while still getting the care you need.
Receiving hospital-equivalent care in your own home can help maintain independence, avoid hospital-related complications and can mean recovery is much quicker.
Who will look after me?
Hospital at Home, which began as Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust’s Prevention of Admission service in March 2020, is now provided for and by healthcare professionals in the East and North Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership.
It involves a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, therapists and pharmacists with easy access to advice and care from dieticians, palliative care, and the community respiratory team.
Examples of care provided through Hospital at Home
- Remote monitoring using a mobile phone to check weight, oxygen levels, pulse rate, temperature, and blood pressure (kit and instructions for use are provided)
- First dose IV/oral antibiotics to treat acute infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs), cellulitis, chest infections and pneumonia
- Treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Falls, urgent mobility assessments and rapid decline in functional ability
- Point-of-care testing for infections and deep vein thrombosis markers
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) testing – when 999 response not required
- Medication reviews by pharmacists
- End-of-life and specialist palliative care
Will I need equipment?
You will be provided with any equipment needed to monitor your condition. This is through a company called Doccla, who will show you (or a carer, if appropriate) how to use it.
What happens when my treatment ends?
You will be assessed by the medical team before being discharged. We will send a discharge summary to your GP explaining what care you have received. You will need to return any monitoring equipment we provided to Doccla.
What if I become more unwell?
Patients can contact the Hospital at Home team on 0300 123 7571 between 8am-8pm, seven days a week.
If you feel unwell outside of these hours, please call 111.
If it is a life-threatening emergency do not wait, please call 999.
Feedback from Hospital at Home patients
I was very pleased to have avoided another hospital admission and felt that staying in my own home helped me to recover quicker and reduced my anxiety. It also meant I was able to maintain my usual routines at home, making everything much easier to continue to manage. You have no idea what a difference this made to me in maintaining my independence.
Juliet from Hertfordshire
We welcome your feedback
If you have compliments or concerns about Hospital at Home you can:
- Call the Hospital at Home team on 0300 123 7571
- Contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01438 285811 (leave a message), or email [email protected]
- Why not complete our short survey? We will send it to you at the end of your treatment. Tell us what went well or not so well and help us improve Hospital at Home.
