Five Members of Parliament representing the Bath area have expressed serious concerns regarding the planned privatisation of an “exceptional” service provided by the Royal United Hospital (RUH).
Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath and a member of the Liberal Democrats, is among five MPs calling for urgent clarification about the future of the hospital’s “hospital at home” scheme. This innovative programme enables patients to receive acute care within their own homes through a “virtual ward” system and has won the recommendation of 99.5% of those who have used it.
From 30 September, the private company HCRG will assume full responsibility for operating the scheme on behalf of the NHS. While patients will not be required to pay for the service, MPs have highlighted staff concerns that the shift to a privately-run service may undermine the current close integration with the RUH’s specialist teams.
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Ms Hobhouse stated, “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 emphasised that “patient care must remain at the heart of all decisions. The hospital at home programme has been incredibly successful, enabling many individuals to be treated at home and helping to alleviate pressure on hospital beds. Any changes should build on this success.”
Alongside Ms Hobhouse, four other MPs – Anna McMorrin of Frome and East Somerset, Roz Savage of South Cotswolds, Sarah Gibson of Chippenham, and Brian Mathew of Melksham and Devizes – have jointly written to the RUH’s chief executive seeking further clarity.
Ms Sabine added, “When an NHS team has consistently delivered outstanding care, earned the trust of almost every patient it has treated, and provided exactly the kind of innovative care the NHS aims to expand, the public deserve a clear explanation if fundamental changes are imminent.”
Presently, the hospital at home scheme operates as a partnership between the RUH and HCRG, with the hospital providing 20 virtual beds alongside 42 from the private provider. A spokesperson for the RUH confirmed that the decision to transfer full operational responsibility to HCRG was made by the area’s integrated care board.
The RUH representative explained, “We are committed to providing safe and high-quality care whether patients are in our hospitals or at home. The hospital at home service transferred to HCRG in April 2025 when the community services contract commenced. At that time, HCRG subcontracted to the RUH to continue providing virtual beds, but this subcontract will end on 30 September 2026.
“We will continue to provide hospital at home beds to support our communities into the winter months and work closely with the Integrated Care Board and HCRG to develop the most effective clinical model going forward.”
Since its launch in 2021, the hospital at home programme has cared for over 5,000 patients. In 2025, the team was honoured with the RUH’s “Working Together Award” in recognition of its exceptional multidisciplinary care.