AN INITIATIVE aiming to reduce delays while increasing capacity is underway at NHS Forth Valley with a home-first approach for patients.

The health board has launched its Your Home First initiative, bringing together and building on a wide range of work in health and care service to support more people in their own homes and to avoid hospital admissions.

The initiative aims to ensure that anyone who does require inpatient care is able to return to their own home as soon as they are well enough, without experiencing any delays.

Wherever possible, it also aims to prevent situations where people are transferred straight from hospital to a care home as, with the right care and support, most people can return to their own home first.

The scheme aims to ensure that any follow up assessments or rehabilitation support is provided in the comfort and familiarity of a person’s own home which, in many cases, may result in them being able to stay at home.

Dr Karen Adamson, associate medical director for unscheduled care in NHS Forth Valley, said: “We recognise that sometimes people need to attend hospital for tests and treatment, however, most people want to stay at home if they can and receive care in the comfort of their own home or local community.

“This also avoids the need to travel to hospital where you may have to wait to be seen in a noisier and more stressful environment.

“We also know that hospitals are not the best place to be once you’re well enough to go home as staying in hospital for longer than clinically necessary can have a big impact on your health and wellbeing.

“For example, it can reduce your independence, fitness and muscle strength and increase your risk of infection.

“Getting back to your own home and being able to sleep in your own bed also helps you get back into your usual routine.”

A wide range of work is already underway to support the approach, including the development of more joined-up and co-ordinated services in communities, particularly for frail, older people.

Arrangements have also been put in place with the Scottish Ambulance Service to enable paramedics to speak to consultants at Forth Valley Royal Hospital for advice which could avoid the need for patients to be taken to hospital.