Tara Donnelly is a prominent figure within the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom. Tara Donnelly served as the Chief Digital Officer for NHSX, which is the digital transformation arm of the NHS. NHSX was established to drive digital innovation and transformation across the NHS, aiming to improve patient care and health outcomes through the use of technology.
Tara Donnelly played a key role in leading digital initiatives within the NHS, overseeing projects related to digital health, data interoperability, and the adoption of new technologies to enhance healthcare delivery. She has been involved in various aspects of digital transformation within the NHS, including the development and implementation of digital health strategies, initiatives to improve patient access to digital services, and efforts to promote innovation and collaboration in healthcare technology.
Tara is now involved in Hospital in the Home implementation in the UK Podcast with Tara Donnelly - Founder of Digital Care (youtube.com).
The increased facilitation of Early Supported Discharge (ESD) and Admission Avoidance (AA) models in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) are growing:
- Early Supported Discharge (ESD): ESD programs generally showed comparable mortality and readmission rates to inpatient care. Patients in ESD programs experienced a shorter hospital length of stay (LOS) compared to traditional inpatient treatment. The evidence regarding costs was unclear
- Admission Avoidance (AA):AA models aim to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions by providing care at home. While specific case studies may not be readily available, the concept of AA has been successfully implemented in various regions of the EU and UK. For example, the NHS England has been increasingly introducing virtual wards (also known as hospital at home) to support patients at home, including care homes. These virtual wards allow patients to receive necessary care safely and conveniently at home, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions. The South and West Hertfordshire Health and Care Partnership implemented a virtual ward enabled by technology for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The program observed a trend toward lower mortality and costs, along with comparable or lower readmissions.
- General Observations: Hah programs, including both ESD and AA models, generally result in similar or improved clinical outcomes compared to inpatient treatment. Prioritizing AA models over ESD may offer benefits in terms of costs and clinical outcomes. However, further research is needed to clarify costs and address evidence gaps related to caregiver outcomes and adverse events under HaH care
- Hospital in the Home (HITH) services can be reimbursable in France under certain conditions. In France, healthcare is primarily funded through a combination of public and private insurance schemes. The French healthcare system provides coverage for a wide range of medical services, including those provided through alternative care settings like HITH. The reimbursement of HITH services in France would typically depend on factors such as: Hospitalization at Home (HAD) | Service-Public.fr
- Medical Necessity: The services provided through HITH must be deemed medically necessary by a healthcare professional. This means that the patient's medical condition requires acute care but can be safely and effectively managed in a home setting.
- Prescription and Authorization: HITH services usually require a prescription from a physician and authorization from the relevant healthcare authorities or insurance providers.
- Compliance with Regulations: HITH programs in France must comply with applicable regulations and standards set forth by healthcare authorities to ensure patient safety and quality of care.
- Insurance Coverage: Reimbursement for HITH services may vary depending on the patient's insurance coverage, including coverage under the French national health insurance system (Assurance Maladie) or supplementary private insurance plans.
- Cost-sharing: Patients may be responsible for cost-sharing, such as copayments or deductibles, depending on their insurance coverage and the specific terms of their policy.
Overall, while HITH services can be reimbursable in France, the specific details of reimbursement eligibility, coverage criteria, and payment mechanisms may vary depending on the patient's insurance status and the policies of healthcare payers. It's advisable for patients and healthcare providers to consult with insurance providers or relevant authorities to determine the reimbursement options available for HITH services in France.
Hospital at Home is experiencing a growth spurt in most Healthcare systems.
