LIBERAL Democrat MPs have united to demand answers over plans to transfer the Hospital at Home service to a private community health provider.

Staff have raised concerns that the change risks disrupting a service that is already working exceptionally well.

MP for Frome and East Somerset Anna Sabine has joined MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse, to write to Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust’s chief executives calling for greater transparency over the decision.

Since its launch in 2021, the Hospital at Home team has cared for more than 5,000 patients with its team receiving the RUH Working Together Award, recognising its exceptional multidisciplinary care, just last year.

MP Anna Sabine MP said: “When an NHS team has consistently delivered outstanding care, earned the trust of almost every patient it has treated, and demonstrated exactly the type of innovative care the NHS says it wants to expand, the public deserve a clear explanation if that service is being fundamentally changed.

“Hospital at Home is a brilliant example of care being delivered differently, allowing people to recover in the comfort of their own homes while also helping to relieve pressure on hospital beds.

“It is difficult to understand why a service with such a strong record is being fundamentally restructured without clear evidence that the change will improve patient care.”

The current Hospital at Home model has operated through a partnership between the hospital and HCRG Care Group with RUH funding 20 beds, and HCRG funding a further 42.

HCRG has chosen to withdraw its funding from the existing arrangement, which will come to an end on September 30, and take over complete responsibility for delivering the service.

The MPs are questioning why the RUH has not considered retaining and directly funding the service, particularly given its record of patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes and staff recognition.

Wera Hobhouse MP said: “Patient care must be at the heart of any decision being made. The Hospital at Home programme has been incredibly successful in allowing many people to be cared for at home while easing pressure on limited hospital beds. Any changes must continue to build on that success.

“We need an urgent explanation as to why this successful service is being transferred, and assurance that it will continue to deliver the care and treatment our constituents deserve.”

Staff have also raised concerns about the proposed changes, particularly whether the close integration between the Hospital at Home team and RUH specialist services can be maintained under the new arrangements.

A spokesperson for NHS BSW Swindon and Wiltshire said: “We have been assured that there will be no reduction in the number of beds for patients across BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire.

“The ICB welcomes the focus on quality of care for patients and organisations working in partnership.

“This approach will ensure that residents across BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire can be confident of the highest quality of services to meet their needs, regardless of whether they are in hospital or in their own homes.”