Report highlights family carer’s experiences of the Hospital at Home service

News - 30 September 2025

Our new report explores the impact of the NHS Hospital at Home service on unpaid carers and patients across Dorset. The findings show that while carers value the service highly, many also face increased stress and challenges in supporting loved ones at home.

The Hospital at Home service provides acute, short-term NHS care in people’s own homes as an alternative to hospital admission. The model has grown nationally, aiming to reduce pressure on hospitals while supporting patients to recover in familiar surroundings.

Report key findings

Overwhelming support for the service: 83% of carers rated Hospital at Home as very good, with none rating it as poor.
Better patient outcomes: Carers reported that patients benefited from faster care, more comfort, and reduced risk of infection compared to hospital stays.
Improved communication: 89% of carers said they were kept fully informed about treatment and knew where to access further support.
Increased burden on carers: Many carers described emotional stress, disrupted sleep, financial pressure, and a lack of aftercare. Some felt more joined-up services and clearer communication would improve their experience.

Case studies in the report highlight both the benefits and the challenges. One mother described how her child could keep attending school thanks to Hospital at Home, reducing disruption for the whole family. Another carer, herself a health professional, noted how quickly her father received care and pain relief, which would have taken longer in hospital:

"It was stressful initially as Dad suddenly became unwell on a Friday when GP services might have been out of the question and he needed to be seen face-to-face. It was positive that there was reassurance there would be help on the weekend. Dad was given stronger pain relief and a Hospital at Home ward."

Report recommendations

Better public information and dedicated NHS webpages on Hospital at Home.
Stronger involvement of carers in care planning and communication.
Consistent identification and support of unpaid carers.
Ongoing collection of feedback from carers and patients to shape the service.

Announcing the report, Louise Bate, Healthwatch Dorset Manager, said: "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who shared their personal experiences with us –carers, patients and staff – that gave us valuable insights of the service. We will be sharing our findings with the Dorset Hospital at Home Steering Committee and leading consultants to help their development of better services in the community.”

Cliff Kilgore, Consultant Practitioner for Older People at Dorset County Hospital NHS Trust, welcomed the report, saying: “There is significant evidence that inpatient care can lead to deleterious effects. Therefore, we should provide high levels of medical care outside of hospital when we can.”