Meeting the healthcare challenges of today and tomorrow requires innovative solutions that shift healthcare into the community. This report, commissioned by the ABPI, explores the unique role of pharmaceutical companies in the delivery of clinical homecare, and the potential of this patient-centric service.

Combining a survey of NHS professionals, data from pharmaceutical companies, and – for the first time – patient-level outcome data, the report highlights the scale and impact of pharmaceutical companies’ involvement and offers actionable recommendations on how homecare can be further improved, in collaboration with manufacturers, homecare providers and the NHS, to ensure patients get the best treatment possible.

Pharmaceutical companies invest £173 million per year into the delivery of homecare, funding 512,000 patients

2.4 hospital bed days are saved per patient based on an observation of patient-level data comparing those receiving homecare versus those in the hospital.

1/2 the rates of A&E attendance and admissions are seen with homecare

Feedback from the survey of NHS professionals showed that:

71%

believe clinical homecare improves geographical access to care for patients

90%

say homecare brings financial savings for the NHS

92%

report that homecare increases NHS capacity by extending services outside hospitals

Clinical homecare is not a perfect system. Complexities and operational
challenges hinder homecare from reaching its optimal capability, with this
report highlighting several key areas of improvement:

For patients: access to homecare is often determined by capacity within local trusts and hospitals; lack of integrated systems and digitisation can impact set up and delivery
NHS funding and resources: limited funding and resources make managing homecare at scale challenging
For homecare providers: limited funding and stability of contracts hinders innovation and improvement
Pharmaceutical companies: cost-containment pressures make long-term planning and investment challenging

The report outlines key recommendations to improve the sustainability of clinical homecare:

Greater collaboration

This is needed overall between the NHS, homecare providers and pharmaceutical companies to streamline processes and reach shared goals for the future of homecare services

Centralised contracting

A centralised contracting framework could reduce admin burdens and ensure equitable access for patients

Homecare design flexibility / innovation

Allowing appropriate review and modification of individual patient services could drive efficiency and empower patients

Digitisation of NHS / provider interface

Transitioning to digital solutions could streamline operations and delivery for all

Creating a more resilient and competitive homecare provider market

Structural changes to incentivise providers could promote healthy competition and drive continual improvements to service quality

Clinical homecare is a vital component of the shift toward more sustainable, patient-centric healthcare. To fully realise its potential, pharmaceutical companies, homecare providers and the NHS must work together to address key challenges and drive innovation. By fostering a more integrated and scalable system, homecare can alleviate pressures on the NHS while improving patient outcomes and access to care.

ABPI. (July 2025). Bringing healthcare home: A blueprint for collaborative clinical homecare. [online] Available at: https://www.abpi.org.uk/publications/bringing-healthcare-home-a-blueprint-for-collaborative-clinical-homecare/

In this article

Executive summary: moving care out of hospital and reducing the burden on the NHS

Key statistics

Feedback from the survey of NHS professionals showed that:

Challenges and pressures

The future of clinical homecare: ABPI recommendations

Greater collaboration

Centralised contracting

Homecare design flexibility / innovation

Digitisation of NHS / provider interface

Creating a more resilient and competitive homecare provider market

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