A family from Airdrie is among hundreds to have benefited from a scheme which brings hospital-level care into the homes of babies and children, a new report has revealed.
The report, published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, shows that 340 babies and children were seen by neonatal and paediatric Hospital at Home services between November last year and April 2026.
Neonatal care focuses on newborn babies, particularly those who are premature, underweight, or unwell, while paediatric care is concerned with the health of children and young people. The Hospital at Home model for both services allows medically stable patients to receive high-quality care without being admitted to a ward.
Specially trained teams visit families in their own homes, providing treatment, monitoring and support. This allows young patients to be cared for in a familiar setting, surrounded by their families, rather than in the unfamiliar environment of a hospital.
The approach is designed to avoid the stress and disruption that a hospital stay can bring for children and their families. It also keeps families together during a time that can be worrying and uncertain.
For parents and carers, the service reduces the need to travel back and forth to hospital, which can be particularly difficult for families living in rural areas or those without easy access to transport. It also gives families the opportunity to play a more active role in their child's recovery.
From the perspective of the health service, the model helps to ease pressure on hospital capacity. By providing care in the community, the teams free up beds and clinical time for those children who need to be in hospital for more acute or complex treatment.
The figure of 340 highlights the significant number of families relying on the service over the course of the period covered by the report. It provides a snapshot of how the neonatal and paediatric teams have been working across the country and the practical difference they make to families.
The development of Hospital at Home services is part of a broader shift towards providing more care in community settings rather than in acute hospitals. By moving care closer to home where it is safe and appropriate to do so, the NHS aims to make better use of its resources and improve the overall experience for patients and their families.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland is the national body tasked with supporting health and social care services to improve quality and safety. Its latest findings underscore the growing importance of providing care closer to home for some of the most vulnerable patients.
The report sets out the scale of the services so far, offering evidence for how they are being used across Scotland. The official statistics are expected to help health planners understand demand for such services and shape the future delivery of care for children and young people. For the Airdrie family and others like them, the service represents a vital link between hospital specialists and everyday life at home.
