Why is this HEAT target important?
People tell us they want to stay at home as long as possible. Not only is this understandable from their personal perspective, there is also significant evidence that this helps them remain more independent for longer. This makes it a Government priority to increase the availability of home care for people, particularly those with high levels of care needs. As the population ages, and the number of people with complex care needs increases, the need to provide appropriate care at home becomes even more important. Innovative approaches such as 'telecare' and 'telehealth', which use new technology to support people at home, will have an increasing part to play.
How are we performing?
Target due for delivery in 2010/11
Since 2008 there has been an increase in the proportion of people aged 65 and over with high levels of care needs who are cared for at home. The latest figure of 32.3 per cent as at March 2011 census shows a 1.1 percentage point increase on the 31.2 per cent at March 2008. NHS Boards were asked to propose local targets and these aggregate to a target due for delivery by March 2011 of 33.5 per cent.
The table below shows NHS Board level performance as at the March 2011 census and the associated target.
Percentage of people 65+ with complex care needs who receive home care by NHS Board, as at March 2011 census and NHS Board target
| NHS Board | March 2011 | Target (due for delivery March 2011) |
|---|
| NHS AYRSHIRE & ARRAN | 34.1 | 40.0 |
| NHS BORDERS | 29.1 | 31.0 |
| NHS DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY | 49.4 | 43.0 |
| NHS FIFE | 20.4 | 27.0 |
| NHS FORTH VALLEY | 34.7 | 32.0 |
| NHS GRAMPIAN | 24.7 | 28.0 |
| NHS GREATER GLASGOW & CLYDE | 36.1 | 36.0 |
| NHS HIGHLAND | 25.5 | 30.0 |
| NHS LANARKSHIRE | 38.4 | 40.0 |
| NHS LOTHIAN | 31.3 | 30.5 |
| NHS ORKNEY | 31.7 | 32.0 |
| NHS SHETLAND | 54.5 | 46.0 |
| NHS TAYSIDE | 24.5 | 24.9 |
| NHS WESTERN ISLES | 40.9 | 43.0 |
| NHSSCOTLAND | 32.3 | 33.5 |
Further Information
For the 2010/11 target the methodology changed due to the introduction of Balance of Care/Continuing Care Census in September 2008 following the revision of the Scottish Government's formal guidance on NHS continuing health care. The census for the first time, provides a method of identifying all patients who are receiving NHS care that is on-going non-acute care, delivered as an inpatient and often over an extended period. Previously this was estimated from SMR50 or SMR01 records.
Better Health, Better Care
Home Care Services, Scotland, 2011
Community Care Outcomes data
Related National Outcomes