The Scottish government has invested £85 million in provision frail patients, helping them receive care at home, and improving the flow of patients through hospitals.

This is through the ‘Hospital at Home' service, which is to be expanded to 2,000 beds by December 2026, and mainly provides care for frail, older people in their own homes who might be suffering with acute illness and health conditions.

Keeping patients in their own homes ensures they can stay in familiar surroundings rather than being apart from loved ones, and also reduces risk of a hospital-acquired infection, or delayed discharges.

The funding will additionally be used to support the introduction of frailty services in every A&E department by the end of summer 2025, aiming to cut the average length of stay for vulnerable patients.

First minister John Swinney said: “I am resolutely focused on taking the necessary action to reduce wait time and clear the blockages leading to delayed discharges across our NHS. This investment will ensure many patients can receive first class NHS care in the comfort of their own homes and not have to travel to a hospital where it isn’t required.

“Expanding Hospital at Home to 2,000 beds by December 2026 will create the largest ‘hospital’ in the country, thereby improving the flow of patients throughout the NHS and generating greater capacity for staff.

“The NHS is Scotland’s greatest treasure but we know we must do better to ensure patients get the care they need, when and where they need it. The 2025-26 Budget provides record funding of £21 billion for Health and Social Care services—with NHS boards across Scotland receiving an additional £2 billion to deliver key frontline services.