NHS Fife are one of 13 health boards to be given a share of £3.6 million from the Scottish Government for Hospital at Home services. 

It enables people to receive acute support treatments – such as an intravenous drip or oxygen supply – at home rather than in a hospital setting. 

It also provides access to tests under the care of a consultant from a patient's own home.

In general, the government said it offers a safe alternative to acute hospital admission for older people and it helps to ease the pressure on frontline acute services. 

Nationally, a new report from Healthcare Improvement Scotland found that 14,467 patients used Hospital at Home in 2023 – up from 11,686 in the previous year.

It also found that an estimated £14.9m was saved in traditional hospital admission costs. 

This new funding from Holyrood will help to support the continuation of the programme. 

“I am very pleased to see the progress that local health providers are making on delivering Hospital at Home services and the positive impact it is having, particularly on elderly patients,” health secretary Neil Gray said. 

“Hospital at Home allows patients to receive acute treatment in an environment that they feel comfortable and familiar with.

"Hospital at Home gives people greater independence during their recovery.

"Evidence shows that those benefiting from the service are more likely to avoid hospital or care home stays for up to six months after an acute illness.”

He continued: “It is also one of a range of measures that we have put in place to tackle delayed discharge numbers and free up beds within our hospitals.”

To date, in 2024/25, £2.8m of Hospital at Home funding has been allocated, based on health board applications.