Finding a safe home after hospital: Case study research on Supported Housing and Healthcare partnerships

The latest report published by the National Housing Federation (NHF) explains the crucial role of supported housing in improving hospital discharge processes and easing pressures on the NHS. It highlights how housing shortages contribute to delayed discharges, which negatively impact patient recovery, NHS waiting lists and public spending.

 Key Findings:

• Housing related delays to hospital discharge have significantly increased, particularly in mental health inpatient settings, causing 7,239 additional hospital bed days in September 2024.
• Delayed discharges cost the NHS millions with 109,029 days of delay in 2023/24, costing approximately £71m.
• Providing enough supported housing could save £53-£65m per year while improving patient outcomes. 

Case Studies on Housing and Health Partnerships:

Homelessness 

• Gloria House (London): A six bed supported housing scheme helping homeless hospital patients, saving the NHS £1.8m since 2018.
• H.O.M.E Service (Gloucestershire): Offers temporary housing to homeless patients, reducing hospital readmissions by over 50% in five years. 

Mental health

• Ibis House (Newham): A stepdown facility reducing the need for out of area placements and private sector beds, saving hundreds of thousands per year.
• SWYPFT Discharge Service (West Yorkshire): Uses specialist supported housing to provide a smooth transition from hospital, reducing hospital stays by 23 months per patient. 

Learning disability and autism

• Hampshire & Isle of Wight ICB: A portfolio of 30 specialist supported homes (majority of schemes provided by Purpose Homes), saving £1m annually. Moreover, initial financial modelling of opportunity costs associated with this new approach indicates cumulative savings over five years in the region of £10m. Refer to pages 23-25 to read more in the document below.
• Gloucestershire ICB: Uses NHS capital grants to develop bespoke supported housing, reducing inpatient hospital stays for those who do not need treatment.

Older generation

• Supported housing reduces hospital readmission risks by ensuring homes are adapted for ageing related needs.
• Investment in sheltered housing could save the NHS £486m per year by preventing falls and enabling faster hospital discharges.

The report reinforces the urgent need for improved health and housing collaboration to prevent unnecessary hospital stays, reduce NHS costs and enhance patient wellbeing.

Read more on NHF: https://www.housing.org.uk/resources/finding-a-safe-home-after-hospital/