Five Liberal Democrat MPs representing the Bath area have voiced serious concerns regarding the planned full transfer of the Royal United Hospital’s (RUH) highly regarded “Hospital at Home” service to a private provider at the end of September.
Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, alongside Anna Sabine (Frome and East Somerset), Roz Savage (South Cotswolds), Sarah Gibson (Chippenham), and Brian Mathew (Melksham and Devizes), have jointly called for urgent explanations about why this successful and patient-recommended scheme is being handed over.
The “Hospital at Home” programme enables patients to receive acute medical care in their own homes, operating as a virtual ward. It has been overwhelmingly well received, with 99.5% of patients expressing satisfaction with the service.
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From 30 September, private company HCRG will take full responsibility for operating the scheme on behalf of the NHS. While this will not affect patient charges, MPs have raised concerns that the service’s close coordination with RUH’s specialist teams could be compromised under private management.
Wera Hobhouse emphasised the need for transparency and patient-centred care, stating, “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.” She added, “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.”
Anna Sabine highlighted the service’s proven record, saying, “When an NHS team has consistently delivered outstanding care, earned the trust of almost every patient it has treated, and demonstrated the kind of innovative care the NHS aims to expand, the public deserve a clear explanation if that service is being fundamentally changed.”
Currently, the programme operates as a partnership between RUH and HCRG, with the hospital providing 20 virtual beds and the private provider 42. The RUH confirmed that the decision to transfer full operational control to HCRG was made by the region’s integrated care board.
A spokesperson for the RUH stated, “We are committed to delivering safe and high-quality care for our patients whether they are in our hospitals or in their own homes. The Hospital at Home service transferred to HCRG in April 2025 when the community services contract commenced. At that time, HCRG subcontracted RUH to continue providing virtual beds for the service, and this subcontract will conclude on 30 September 2026.
“We will continue to provide Hospital at Home beds to deliver additional capacity for our communities as we approach winter, whilst working closely with our colleagues at the integrated care board and HCRG to develop the most effective clinical model for the future.”
Launched in 2021, the Hospital at Home service has provided care for over 5,000 patients. In 2025, the team received the RUH’s “Working Together Award,” recognising their exceptional multidisciplinary approach to patient care.