More than 1,750 people were able to receive hospital equivalent care at home in 2025 through the West Essex Hospital at Home service.
The service is run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and is available to patients registered with a GP in the Epping, Harlow and Uttlesford districts.
It gives people the option to receive treatment at home instead of being admitted to hospital, if their medical condition can be safely and effectively managed without a hospital stay.
The medical team includes doctors, advanced clinical practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and paramedics.
They look after patients with a wide range of health needs, and use a combination of home visits, phone calls and remote monitoring equipment.
Remote monitoring complements in-person care and enables staff to safely and effectively monitor patients and intervene quickly if their health deteriorates.
Bluetooth technology transmits individual readings to the clinical teams via a tablet. Technology provider Doccla supply patients with the equipment they need, which might include any one of the following: a blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, a blood glucose monitor, cardiotocograph, activity tracker, scales, thermometer, and multi-function patches and armbands.
Matron Connor Garrett said: “Every referral we receive represents a loved one supported at home, rather than waiting in a hospital bed or corridor.
“Our focus is on helping people recover in the comfort of their own homes, reducing the need for hospital admission wherever it is safe and appropriate.”
The team also looks after people who have been discharged from hospital. On average, patients can safely leave hospital two days earlier than planned to continue their care under Hospital at Home.
Connor said: “We treat the whole person, not just the condition. Every patient’s needs are different, and our role is to understand what will genuinely help them stay well, safe and independent at home.
“That might mean arranging equipment, extra care, or specialist input. We work with social care, occupational therapists and physiotherapists to put the right support in place quickly.
“By working closely with community nursing teams, specialist physical and mental health services, hospices and hospitals, we make sure patients receive seamless care while they are with us and have the right support in place long after they leave our service.”
In west Essex, around half of all people aged 65 and over who are admitted to hospital are frail, which affects their ability to recover quickly from health problems.
The Hospital at Home team is looking at ways to help people in this group avoid being hospitalised.
Over three months in 2025, they worked with residents, their families, and staff at Ashlar House care home in Epping (run by Barchester Healthcare) to proactively admit groups of residents to the service to monitor their health. The aim was to watch and monitor their health needs safely to prevent an ambulance being called. A quarter of the 36 residents were identified as having health issues requiring urgent attention that needed further treatment and care to prevent them from going into hospital.
Barchester General Manager, Flavia Sparhat, said: “Being the pilot care home was a very positive experience, we very much benefitted from the support of the Hospital at Home team.
“We would like to thank them for all their help during the three-month trial period.”
In 2026, Hospital at Home will also begin trialling a new remote monitoring device designed specifically for very frail patients. Worn on the wrist, the device continuously monitors vital signs 24 hours a day and automatically shares this information with the clinical team.
Connor said: “This technology allows us to closely monitor patients without placing any extra burden on them. The device takes readings automatically and sends them straight to our clinical team, meaning patients don’t need to operate equipment or remember to take measurements.
“For people who are very frail or unable to use standard monitoring equipment without support, this is a real step forward in keeping them safe, comfortable and well cared for at home.”
The team consistently receive positive feedback from patients, their families, and health care professionals. Here’s some of the feedback they have received:
“As far as I’m concerned, best thing since sliced bread. The staff were very patient and helpful to me – so a big thank you.”
“Felt safe at home, was patient friendly, convenient, brilliant – and staff were amazing.”
A man whose wife received care while waiting for surgery said: “The lines of communication were outstanding and, above all, reliable. When they promised a time of their call, they kept to it.”
He said they felt confident and safe in the hands of the medical team, and in control of his wife’s care.
A GP said: “I made a referral to Hospital at Home and spoke to a lovely nurse who accepted the referral and arrange remote monitoring, blood tests, regular observation and bridging services for the patient in record time.”
Read more about the service on the West Essex Hospital at Home information page.