RecruitingObservational

Understanding the health, caring activities, and experiences of informal carers of patients in hospital at home services

This study wants to learn more about people who look after family or friends receiving care at home, often called 'Hospital at Home' or 'Virtual Wards'. These services let patients recover at home instead of staying in hospital, with healthcare professionals visiting frequently. Unpaid carers play a big part in this, helping with daily tasks, offering company, and keeping an eye on the patient. However, being a carer can be tough and might affect their own well-being. This research will explore carers' health, what they do each day, and how caring impacts their lives. By understanding their experiences, the study hopes to find ways to make these services better and provide more support for carers, who are essential for patients' recovery and for the NHS.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust

Enrolment target

158

Start

01 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

31 Oct 2026

The health, caring activities, and experiences of informal carers of patients in hospital at home services

What is this study about?

Imagine getting hospital-level care right in your own home instead of staying in a hospital ward. This is what 'Hospital at Home' services (sometimes called 'Virtual Wards') aim to do. They allow patients to recover comfortably at home, while still receiving regular visits and support from healthcare professionals. Many patients prefer this, and it also helps hospitals manage their busy wards.

Often, when someone is cared for at home, a family member or friend steps in to help. These are known as 'informal carers' – they're not paid for their care, but they do a huge amount. This can involve helping with everyday tasks, staying with the patient, or making sure they're comfortable and safe. We know these carers are incredibly important, but we don't know enough about what it's really like for them when their loved one is using a Hospital at Home service.

This study wants to understand the experiences of these unsung heroes. It will ask carers about their own health and well-being, what kind of activities they do to support the patient, and how their caring role affects their daily lives. By gathering this information, the researchers hope to identify what carers find helpful, what challenges they face, and how Hospital at Home services can be improved to better support them. This research is important because it recognises the vital role carers play in helping patients get better and supporting our healthcare system.

Key takeaways

The study explores the experiences of unpaid carers for patients receiving 'Hospital at Home' care.
It aims to understand carers' health, activities, and the impact of their role.
Participation involves completing a questionnaire and/or an interview twice.
The goal is to improve support and services for carers in the future.
It's led by London South Bank University and funded by the NIHR.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people who are currently looking after a family member or friend receiving care through a Hospital at Home service. To take part, you need to be at least 18 years old and not be paid for the care you provide (though receiving carer benefits or allowances is perfectly fine).

You should be actively involved in supporting the patient, whether that's helping with practical tasks, offering emotional support, or just having regular contact with them. You also need to be able to understand and take part in the study, either in English or with help from an interpreter or translated materials.

If you're under 18, get paid for your caring role (not including benefits), or are unable to give your consent to participate, then unfortunately this study won't be suitable for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you caring for a family member or friend who is currently receiving 'Hospital at Home' care?
Do you provide care unpaid (excluding carer benefits)?
Are you actively involved in supporting the patient, practically or emotionally?
Can you participate in English (or with interpreter support)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be asked to share your experiences through a questionnaire and/or an interview on two separate occasions. The first time will be while the person you're caring for is still receiving care from the Hospital at Home service. The second time will be after they have finished their direct care from the service.

The questionnaire will ask about your health, what your caring role involves, and how it affects you. It should take about 20-30 minutes to complete. You can fill it in online, have it sent to you by post, complete it over the phone, or in person.

If you also do an interview, this will be a chance to talk more deeply about your experiences as a carer, what you do to help, how you feel about the Hospital at Home care, and what kind of support you might need. The interviews are expected to last around 45-60 minutes and can be done online, over the phone, or in person.

Potential risks and benefits

By taking part, you could help healthcare services better understand the needs of carers, leading to improved support for people like you in the future. Some people also find it helpful to talk about their experiences. However, discussing your caring role can sometimes bring up difficult feelings, so there's a small chance you might feel a bit distressed. Remember, you can stop taking part at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your or your loved one's care.

Locations (1)

Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Approximate
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'Hospital at Home'?

It's a healthcare service that allows patients to receive hospital-level medical care, like regular check-ups or treatments, in the comfort of their own home, instead of staying in a hospital building.

What does 'informal carer' mean?

An informal carer is someone, usually a family member or friend, who provides unpaid help and support to another person at home because of their illness, disability, or old age.

Do I have to do both the questionnaire and the interview?

No, you don't have to. The study offers both options, and you can choose whether to complete just the questionnaire, or both the questionnaire and an interview.

How long will the study run?

The study is planned to run from August 2024 until February 2027.

Who is paying for this study?

The study is being funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK.

How to find out more

Nas Harrison

ngaal@dmu.ac.uk +44 116 207 8982 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.