Home care – The remedy to the current NHS winter pressure crisis

By Samuel Court, Director at Nexus Care Services

The pressures on the NHS this winter have reached a critical point – compared by many nurses and doctors as something akin to the challenges faced during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With flu cases surging and a brutally cold winter exacerbating the strain, hospitals across the UK are grappling with overcapacity and prolonged wait times in accident and emergency (A&E) units.

The situation is tough, with NHS England medical director Prof Sir Stephen Powis noting that hospitals are under “exceptional pressure” and facing “mammoth demand.”

In such times, the role of home care providers becomes not just supportive but critical.

While this is yet to be truly recognised in the Government’s approach to social care, home care services have the unique capability to alleviate some of the pressures faced by the NHS.

By both keeping patients out of the hospital and helping to support timely discharges, the role of home care in the structure of the wider healthcare system shouldn’t be understated or underappreciated.

Preventing hospital admissions

More admissions, particularly among the elderly and those with varying conditions, could be managed at home with supported care and monitoring.

By providing comprehensive in-home care, carers can prevent the escalation of conditions that could lead to A&E visits.

For example, our services, including routine health monitoring, medication management, and immediate response to any arising health concerns, have and continue to significantly reduce the likelihood of emergency situations amongst the people we care for.

We know from experience how our services have helped to keep people out of hospital.

Facilitating hospital discharge

With the current surge in flu cases and other seasonal ailments, the need for hospital beds has dramatically increased and we are seeing a spike in enquiries as a result.

Home care services play a pivotal role in facilitating quicker hospital discharges by ensuring a safe and supportive environment at home.

Anyone leaving the hospital has to be returned to a safe and supportive environment. Discharges simply aren’t allowed to happen unless this can be demonstrated.

Home care offers people the ability to continue to live where they are comfortable while maintaining a greater sense of independence as they recover.

We have seen that home care not only helps free up hospital resources but also reduces the risk of infections and other complications for patients who continue their recovery in the comfort of their homes.

If the Government has ambitions to reduce the number of elderly patients in hospital beds, then they should explore the role that care in the community can offer and invest in providers that offer high-quality support.

By better-integrating home care services into the broader healthcare system, we provide a buffer that helps manage the flow of patients into and out of hospitals.

Economic and emotional impact

The financial implications of prolonged hospital stays are also substantial, both for the NHS and for patients.

Home care offers a cost-effective alternative to both patients and the healthcare system that can save significant resources by reducing the length of hospital stays and preventing readmissions.

Moreover, the emotional and psychological benefits of being cared for at home cannot be overstated.

Patients recover better in familiar surroundings, with the support of family and personalised care.

Looking ahead

As we continue to navigate these challenging times, we must recognise and integrate home care into emergency planning and long-term healthcare strategies.

Whilst the Government is talking about a new approach to social care by 2028, the problems faced are here, now and very present. Urgent action is needed now.

Greater recognition of the support offered by home care services will help to provide stability to our healthcare system.

At Nexus, we are committed to working alongside the NHS to address these unprecedented challenges.

We can offer speedy and thorough care assessments – often within 24 hours – and can start delivering care within three to five days.

With coordinated efforts and strategic planning, home care providers can play a crucial role in mitigating the ongoing crisis and shaping a more resilient healthcare system for the future.

To find out more about Nexus Care Services, please get in touch.