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Resource Topic: Virtual ward

Build 2026/27 Capacity Now: Cost-Effective Hospital at Home for Winter, Surge and Year-Round Relief

As NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Boards look ahead to FY 2026/27, the pressure is already clear: capacity constraints, escalating surge costs, and the need for a sustainable winter plan. HomeLink Healthcare’s Hospital at Home services offer a proven, clinically safe way to increase capacity at around 50% of the cost of inpatient or surge ward beds—while reducing pressure on the front door.

Now is the moment to plan for the surges of next winter and the operational challenges of the coming year. We can help you build a solution that is ready well before pressure hits.

Prepare for 2026/27: Build Capacity Before the Surge

Seasonal demand is predictable—but expensive if systems wait until the Winter surge to act.
HomeLink Healthcare enables NHS partners to put robust, clinically assured options in place months ahead of pressure peaks.

With early planning, Trusts gain:

  • 5% additional bed capacity, delivered safely at home
  • Around 50% cost savings versus inpatient care or surge wards
  • Flexible Hospital at Home and Virtual Ward models
  • Front-door support to reduce avoidable admissions
  • A safe, scalable alternative to building temporary capacity

By planning now, organisations can avoid the extreme costs and workforce strain of last-minute escalation beds.

Proof in Practice: 50% Cost Savings

Through partnerships our services have demonstrated substantial operational and financial impact, including cost reductions of around 50%.

These aren’t theoretical benefits—they’re live, measurable outcomes from real NHS systems.

Virtual Ward Support for Winter and Beyond

As Trusts plan for 2026/27 and winter resilience, many are choosing to expand Virtual Ward provision to relieve pressure at the acute front door.

Our Virtual Ward support models (with or without remote monitoring):

  • Reduce unnecessary admissions
  • Speed up safe discharge
  • Improve flow year-round
  • Ease peak pressure during surge and winter periods

Start the Conversation Now

If Trusts and ICBs begin planning now, they can enter FY 2026/27 with:

  • Clear capacity
  • Better financial headroom
  • A functioning winter resilience model
  • Surge-proof services operating safely at scale

At HomeLink Healthcare, we know the NHS needs reliable partners and bravery to adopt change.

Let’s support you to build your 2026/27 plan now—before more pressure arrives. Contact us here.

Treating Patients Where They Feel Most Comfortable: How HomeLink Healthcare Supports the Diabetic Foot Clinic at Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Diabetic foot complications are among the most serious and challenging conditions faced by people living with diabetes. Foot ulcers, infections, and delayed wound healing can quickly escalate, often resulting in lengthy hospital stays or even amputations if not managed promptly and effectively. At Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the specialist diabetic foot clinic plays a vital role in helping patients access rapid, multidisciplinary care designed to prevent complications and improve outcomes.

By extending hospital-level support beyond the ward and into the community with our Hospital at Home services, HomeLink Healthcare is helping to reduce unnecessary admissions, shorten inpatient stays, and improve the patient experience.

Supporting the Diabetic Foot Pathway

The Multi-Disciplinary Diabetic Foot Team at Kettering General Hospital (KGH) brings together Podiatrists, Diabetes Consultants, Vascular Specialists, Pharmacists, and Nursing staff to care for patients with high-risk diabetic foot conditions such as ulceration and infection.

Traditionally, many of these patients would require prolonged hospital stays, and reduces outpatient visits for IV antibiotics, wound care, monitoring, and rehabilitation. However, advances in Hospital at Home services now mean that many clinically stable patients can continue receiving treatment at home, in familiar surroundings, instead.

This is where HomeLink Healthcare adds significant value. Our teams of nurses, therapists, and support staff provide a range of interventions directly in patients’ homes, including:

  • IV antibiotic therapy
  • Complex wound care
  • Clinical monitoring and assessments
  • Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
  • Personal care and reablement support
  • Phlebotomy and ongoing observations

Dr Michael Pierides, Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist, Kettering General Hospital commented:

“Having worked in several hospitals throughout my career and with IV antibiotics in both community and intermediate care services, I can say hand on heart that the service provided by the KGH at Home team is by far the best.

They consistently deliver a high standard of care, always striving for excellence and holding themselves accountable. The team is highly professional — punctual, reliable, and supported by robust processes and pathways that remain open to feedback to continuously improve quality and efficiency.

KGH at Home are exceptional team players and constructive collaborators, creating a truly positive experience for patients. The feedback I see is overwhelmingly positive, and it’s easy to understand why: the staff are kind, caring, and compassionate, and they take a genuinely holistic approach to patient care.

In every sense, this is a service that sets the benchmark for community-based IV therapy and intermediate care.”

Reducing Pressure on Hospital Beds

Hospital capacity remains a major challenge across the NHS, particularly for acute and specialist services. By supporting early discharge and admission avoidance, we help free up beds for patients who require inpatient treatment most urgently.

Our recent case study describing our partnership with Kettering General Hospital highlighted measurable benefits, including patients spending an average of 15 fewer days in hospital and improvements in patient outcomes and service productivity.

Delivering Patient-Centred Care

HomeLink Healthcare’s model aligns closely with the NHS shift toward more community-based, personalised healthcare. Our Hospital at Home services are designed not only to improve operational efficiency but also to enhance patient choice and comfort.

For patients attending the diabetic foot clinic at Kettering General Hospital, this means care is no longer confined to hospital walls. Instead, treatment can continue in a setting where patients often feel more relaxed, supported, and independent.

For diabetic foot patients, this approach can be especially beneficial. Long inpatient stays can impact mobility, independence, and mental wellbeing. Receiving treatment at home often enables patients to maintain more normal daily routines while still accessing specialist clinical care.

The partnership also improves continuity of care. Communication between hospital specialists and HomeLink’s community teams helps ensure that patients receive coordinated treatment plans and ongoing monitoring throughout recovery.

A Modern Approach to Diabetes Care

As diabetes rates continue to rise across the UK, services like the diabetic foot clinic at Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are under increasing demand. Innovative partnerships with organisations such as HomeLink Healthcare demonstrate how healthcare providers can work together to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care outside traditional hospital settings.

By treating suitable patients at home, the partnership helps reduce pressure on acute services while giving people living with diabetic foot complications access to high-quality care in the place they know best — their home.

If you think your organisation would benefit from a partnership like this please call us on (020) 3137 5370 or fill in the form below.

Patient Story: Building Confidence Through Compassionate Care at Home

Douglas is an 83-year-old gentleman who has always prided himself on his health and vitality. Throughout his life, he has rarely visited a doctor, maintaining an active lifestyle filled with activities and regular walks in his neighbourhood. Known for his cheerful disposition, Douglas has been a source of joy to those around him, often expressing gratitude for his good health and the simple pleasures in life.

Recently, Douglas began experiencing significant discomfort due to discitis, a diagnosis that came as a shock to him. He had never faced a serious health issue before, and the prospect of treatment stirred a deep sense of anxiety. Despite his typically optimistic outlook, the unknowns of his condition and the treatment process weighed heavily on him.

During his initial visit from the HomeLink team, highly-skilled, community-based healthcare professionals, Douglas expressed his concerns about the treatment plan. He worried about the potential for pain, the effects of medication, and the possibility of a long recovery after being in hospital. Understanding his anxiety, HomeLink’s nurse, who was visiting him at home, took the time to explain the condition, the rationale behind the proposed treatments, and what steps would take to ensure his comfort throughout the process. Detailed information was provided which reassured him about the collaborative care aspect, and emphasised the commitment to his well-being.

As treatment progressed, Douglas began to adjust to his new routine. With each visit, he grew more confident in the care he was receiving. He appreciated the attention he received from HomeLink nurses, who listened to his concerns and made him feel valued. His willingness to engage with the treatment plan and ask questions helped alleviate some of his anxiety. Douglas’s gratitude was evident, as he often expressed thanks for the thorough explanations and personal care he received.

Despite the positive experience, Douglas was understandably saddened when he learned that his care would be transferred to another team. He had developed a rapport with the HomeLink staff and valued their support during a challenging time. The transition brought about a renewed wave of anxiety, yet the team reassured him that the new caregivers would continue to prioritise his health and well-being.

Ultimately, Douglas’s journey through discitis became a testament to the importance of compassionate care and communication in easing patient anxieties. As he continues his treatment, he remains hopeful, looking forward to returning to his active lifestyle. His positive attitude and grateful nature serve as a reminder of the profound impact healthcare providers can have on their patients’ journeys, particularly when it comes to addressing their fears and fostering a sense of security.

If you think your patients would benefit from nursing, reablement and rehabilitation at home please call us on (020) 3137 5370 or fill in the form below.

Enhancing Hospital at Home services at Kettering General Hospital

Background

Kettering General Hospital (KGH) provides acute healthcare services to the population of North Northamptonshire and South Leicestershire. With approximately 600 beds, KGH is one of the largest hospitals in the region, treating  around 150,000 patients annually across inpatient and outpatient services.

The hospital has a strong track record in meeting national standards for care and patient safety, consistently performing well in areas like emergency department wait times and elective procedures.

Hospital at Home services at KGH

KGH first introduced its Hospital at Home service in 2018, launching a successful pilot programme that provided acute-level care for patients in the comfort of their own homes. Delivered by an independent provider, this service enabled patients to leave the hospital earlier while still receiving clinical support tailored to their needs. By offering an alternative to extended inpatient stays, the service helped reduce the strain on hospital resources.

In mid-2023, recognising the importance of this service and its potential for expansion, KGH issued a tender to find a provider to continue delivering the ‘KGH at Home’ service for an initial three-year contract. HomeLink Healthcare entered the bidding process through the NHS SBS Patient Discharge Services Framework Agreement and was announced as the preferred provider in February 2024, with mobilisation beginning in March and the new service going live at the beginning of June 2024.

Service mobilisation and delivery

A key priority during service transition was to maintain service delivery, whilst safely transferring patients and staff from on eservice to another. HomeLink worked closely with hospital and community teams to make the transfer of personnel as smooth and uneventful as possible, ensuring continuity of care for patients and that the relationships staff had established with the hospital were maintained.

To support the transition, HomeLink implemented a comprehensive onboarding process, which included staff training on new systems and equipment, shadow visits, and orientation to updated processes. Some of HomeLink’s most experienced community-based staff members worked alongside the existing team, providing hands-on support during shadow visits to help them adapt to new workflows. This approach ensured that there was no disruption to patient care during the handover. 100% patients already receiving care continued to do so without any break in service, and the high standard of care was consistently maintained.

To facilitate the planned expansion of the service, HomeLink’s dedicated mobilisation team bolstered staffing levels during the transition to ensure readiness for increased demand, particularly during the winter months.

Scaling the service to meet growing demand

KGH identified the need to increase capacity to meet rising demand. HomeLink responded by increasing the capacity of the service from 15 to 20 patients, with some days exceeding 25. This not only increased capacity and also created operational headroom within the hospital, allowing for more efficient use of inpatient beds, reduced delays, and improved patient flow.

Reintroducing the service to KGH staff

Although the KGH at Home service was well-established, HomeLink recognised the importance of re-engaging hospital staff to highlight its benefits and expand referral opportunities. Raising  awareness of the service’s potential across different clinical specialties has enabled the service to evolve and has identified new patient cohorts who could benefit from home-based care.

Delivering greater value and supporting hospital productivity

Since taking over the service, HomeLink’s focus has been on maintaining the strengths of the original service while improving its efficiency , productivity and value. We’ve worked closely with KGH to ensure that the service continues to deliver cost savings and help meet productivity targets, particularly around elective procedures.

The service now offers a wide range of home-based clinical care pathways, including general nursing, wound care, brace and collar care, IV therapy, personal care (bridging packages of care), physiotherapy, and stoma care.

Impact

Since HomeLink Healthcare took over the service key improvements have been made to enhance patient outcomes and hospital productivity.

“The KGH at Home team consistently provides high‑quality, patient‑centred care, ensuring people receive safe and effective treatment in the comfort of their own homes. Their communication is excellent, offering clear and timely updates across services whenever needed. The team demonstrates strong clinical oversight, responsiveness, and continued flexibility in the support they provide. Their ongoing commitment plays an important role in maintaining patient flow and enhancing the overall patient experience. Their professionalism and compassionate approach make KGH at Home an invaluable part of our care system.”

– Joyce Cousins, Associate Director of Operations, University Hospitals of Northamptonshire

Referral responses

Time taken to accept or decline referral is on average one hour and referral to assessment completion is an average on 20 hours.

Patient outcome measurements

A new feature introduced by HomeLink was the measurement of patient outcomes while on the KGH at Home service. Using EQ-5D-5L, early results indicate that patients are experiencing, on average, a 27% improvement in their self-reported clinical outcomes. Specific areas of improvement include:

  • 31% improvement in mobility,
  • 30% improvement in self-care,
  • 16% improvement in usual activities,
  • 18% improvement in pain and discomfort, and
  • 21% reduction in anxiety and depression.

On average, patients receiving care through the Hospital at Home service are spending 15 fewer days in the hospital, helping to free up beds and improve overall hospital productivity.

HomeLink Healthcare’s seamless takeover of the Hospital at Home service at KGH not only preserved the high standards of care but also introduced significant improvements that deliver better value. With no disruption to patient services, we’ve ensured that the hospital can meet growing demands, particularly during critical winter months. Our focus on enhancing capacity, efficiency, and staff engagement continues to support KGH’s broader goals of improving patient flow and reducing waiting times, ensuring a more sustainable and responsive healthcare service.

Below are some thoughts about the service from Dr Michael Pierides, Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist, Kettering General Hospital.

“Having worked in several hospitals throughout my career and with IV antibiotics in both community and intermediate care services, I can say hand on heart that the service provided by the KGH at Home team is by far the best.

They consistently deliver a high standard of care, always striving for excellence and holding themselves accountable. The team is highly professional — punctual, reliable, and supported by robust processes and pathways that remain open to feedback to continuously improve quality and efficiency.

KGH at Home are exceptional team players and constructive collaborators, creating a truly positive experience for patients. The feedback I see is overwhelmingly positive, and it’s easy to understand why: the staff are kind, caring, and compassionate, and they take a genuinely holistic approach to patient care.

In every sense, this is a service that sets the benchmark for community-based IV therapy and intermediate care.”

An NHS Partnership Adapting to Surge Pressures

The long-standing partnership between HomeLink Healthcare and The James Paget University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has evolved into a model of collaborative working that not only supports patient-centred care but also helps the Trust to manage capacity pressures efficiently and responsively. 

Officially launched through an NHS SBS framework contract that enabled rapid mobilisation of services, the Paget at Home programme has expanded over time into an integrated Hospital-at-Home model covering virtual wards including IV therapy at home and more.  

Flexible and Responsive Care

One of the partnership’s standout strengths has been responsiveness to surge demand. When pressures increased, HomeLink didn’t just maintain contracted delivery — the service rapidly adapted to increase capacity in response to the increased demand, helping the Trust to preserve flow and maintain safe patient transitions into home care. By shifting resources and adapting capacity in real time, the programme has supported James Paget through periods when demand peaked. 

HomeLink increased patient visits by 10% in the December/January period. 

Over-Capacity Delivery: A Positive Trend 

HomeLink Healthcare has delivered above the required capacity, when required, meeting and exceeding contract expectations month after month. While individual monthly figures can vary with demand, the service has continued to operate at levels above contracted minimums for an extended period, ensuring that patients receive timely visits and support without fail. 

Moreover, during high-demand periods, the team has shown flexibility — both scaling up to over-performance and tempering activity when appropriate to maintain quality, safety and operational balance across pathways. This ability to “flex” is a hallmark of the partnership and underpins its success. 

Contractual Delivery: Perspective from Both Sides 

From a contractual standpoint, HomeLink Healthcare has met and often exceeded the minimum delivery requirements outlined in the agreement with the Trust. This means that the contractual baseline — designed to ensure essential capacity and support — has not only been met but significantly supported by additional delivery where possible. 

Impact to Date 

Since the partnership began, the Paget at Home service has helped release over 34,000 hospital bed days, effectively creating the capacity equivalent to an additional ward and contributing to improved patient flow and outcomes. Patients report high satisfaction and better clinical outcomes as care transitions safely into the home environment.  

Looking Ahead 

The partnership between HomeLink Healthcare and The James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust illustrates not just a contractual relationship, but a strategic collaboration rooted in shared goals: enhancing patient experience, improving flow, and intelligently managing capacity across fluctuating demand cycles. 

As health systems continue to face pressure — particularly during winter surges — the lessons from this long-term partnership offer a model for how proactive planning, flexible resource management, and strong operational leadership can translate into real benefits for both providers and patients alike. 

David’s journey: personalised care after surgery with HomeLink Healthcare

David, 61, was referred to HomeLink Healthcare by the hospital’s virtual ward team after undergoing bowel surgery and having a stoma fitted. His care plan involved twice-weekly visits for specialised VAC therapy to help heal his wound.

David’s recovery process wasn’t always easy. Even before our first scheduled visit, an urgent appointment was needed due to David’s VAC dressing leaking. Throughout his treatment, David also experienced ongoing anxiety as he was still adjusting to life with a new stoma and recovering from major surgery. We stayed in close contact with him, addressing his concerns and providing reassurance during each stage of his treatment. Despite the challenges, David made excellent progress, with the team by his side every step of the way to answer questions and adapt his care as needed.

One of the challenges David faced was excessive fluid from the wound, which required us to be flexible with the days of his dressing changes to minimise discomfort and help the wound heal. Due to the close proximity of the wound to his stoma, maintaining a secure seal for his VAC dressing was also particularly challenging. However, frequent communication between David and the team ensured that we addressed any issues quickly and made adjustments as needed.

During one dressing change, David experienced increased pain and redness around his wound, making the procedure particularly uncomfortable. This incident was carefully reviewed with David and the clinical team to ensure the best approach moving forward. After about a month, we transitioned from VAC therapy to conventional dressings, with plans to refer him to the District Nurse. Excessive fluid from the wound continued to be a concern, so after ongoing discussions with the Tissue Viability Team, we tried a range of dressings until we found the best option for David’s comfort, wound care, and absorbency.

Throughout his treatment, David played an active role in his own recovery. He appreciated the communication from the HomeLink team and how we were able to adjust appointments to meet his needs. Despite his concerns and anxiety, David kept in regular contact with us, sending updates on his progress or sharing frustrations when things didn’t go as planned. This consistent communication helped us stay on top of his care, especially as our visits became less frequent, ensuring timely changes to his treatment when needed.

David’s wound healed well, and although he had hoped we could continue managing his dressings, it was agreed that his GP’s practice nurse would take over his care. David’s active involvement, combined with our flexible, patient-centred care, helped him recover in a relatively short time.

In his final message to the team, David wrote: “Thank you everybody for looking after me. You have been an incredible support and were so patient with me when I got anxious or distressed. Mentally as well as physically I am in a much better place than I was, thanks to you. Special mention must go to Elaine, who has been incredible, but it’s almost unfair to single out one person from the many who have helped so beautifully.”

David also sent a thank you card to his whole care team, expressing his gratitude for the support he received:

“To all the HomeLink team who looked after me so well over the last 10 weeks (and put up with my constant questions), thank you so, so much. You were so much more than nurses to me, and helped both of us through this awful time. I shall miss you all.”

David’s experience shows how personalised care, teamwork, and flexibility can make a big difference in recovery, helping patients feel supported both physically and emotionally.

Maximise virtual ward occupancy to protect your hospital bed capacity

Average virtual ward occupancy in the NHS is 70% (May 2024) whilst HomeLink Healthcare’s average occupancy is 97%.

Jenny Keane, Director of Intermediate Care at NHS England has outlined five barriers to virtual ward referrals:

Barriers of referring into a virtual ward

Through our strong collaboration with patients, NHS partners and social care agencies we have been able to ensure our (contracted) occupancy remains high, freeing up those much needed beds on hospital wards.

Please click on the short animation below that shows ways in which we have been able to maximise capacity on virtual wards that our clinicians support.

 

If you would like to speak to our team about our virtual ward or other hospital at home pathways, please email us at info@homelinkhealthcare.co.uk or call 020 3137 5370.

 

 

NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) framework agreement renewal enables direct commissioning of Hospital at Home services

We are pleased to announce we have been reappointed as a supplier on NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) Patient Discharge and Mental Health Step Down Beds Services Framework Agreement. NHS partners can procure services with HomeLink Healthcare directly via the framework agreement.

 

New NHS SBS Framework Agreement

About the framework agreement

This NHS SBS framework agreement has been developed to reduce the demand on NHS Trusts by supporting with their adult patient discharge pathways. The framework agreement aims to:

  • facilitate transfer of patients from hospital beds to a more appropriate level of care
  • supply additional bed capacity within the NHS urgent care system infrastructure by relieving bed pressures within the local health economy
  • discharge patients meeting specific clinical criteria into an appropriate care setting, reducing instances of re-admission to hospital
  • allow patients to have personalised on-to-one support maintaining continuity of care
  • provide a dedicated pathway to hospital discharge management services.

HomeLink Healthcare is a supplier on the following Lots:

  • Lot 1: Discharge to Assess Services: facilitates patient discharge not only from emergency departments but also from the wider acute hospital and community care settings.
  • Lot 3: Virtual Ward Support Services: supplies a “secondary care” service within a patients care setting for up to 6 weeks. Patients are transferred to the Virtual Ward Support Service following referral from the Trusts’ clinical discharge teams on acceptance by service leads.

“Free to access, our ‘Patient Discharge and Mental Health Step Down Beds Services’ framework agreement is designed to support the transition of patients from hospital, reducing instances of pressure on acute hospital beds, Social Services and re-admissions. In turn, this enables health and care providers to free up capacity to deal with other patients. improve quality of care and health outcomes.” Elaine Alsop, Head of Category – Health, at NHS SBS.

Avoid delays and contract with us directly

NHS partners can use the NHS SBS Patient Discharge and Mental Health Step Down Beds Services framework agreement to directly award contracts to HomeLink Healthcare, saving time and money on the procurement process.

New services can be mobilised in 8-12 weeks. Act now to get a new service up and running within three months and at full capacity within around four months.

  1. Develop specification, business case, contracting options and supplier engagement: now!
  2. Contracting: one week
  3. Service mobilisation: twelve weeks
  4. Go live!
  5. Ramp up to full capacity: six weeks

Work with us

HomeLink Healthcare has been delivering Hospital at Home services since 2016. As a supplier to NHS SBS’s new framework agreement and its previous iteration which ran for four years from March 2019,  it has been used to procure a wide variety of pathways from a large number of organisations including Trusts and the Community Services.

Find out more about the process of commissioning HomeLink Healthcare to set up a hospital at home service.

Get in touch

To speak to a member of our team about our services, call us on (020) 3137 5370 or contact us. You can tell us about your situation, and we can tell you more about our experience of supporting our NHS partners and how we might be able to help you.

 

Got a question? Contact us on (020) 3137 5370

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