John Swinney Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Children virtual hospital

John Swinney visited the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow to hear from those who have benefited from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s (NHSGGC) growing Hospital at Home and virtual hospital services, designed to deliver hospital-level care for children in the comfort of their own homes.

He was welcomed by NHSGGC chair Dr Lesley Thomson KC and chief executive Professor Jann Gardner, and spoke with staff delivering the services, which include paediatric and neonatal care.

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney during a visit to the Royal Children's Hospital in Glasgow (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

The First Minister said: "We are taking bold action to reduce pressure on our NHS, increase capacity and shift the balance of care into communities.

"Through our £220 million Operational Improvement Plan, we’re investing to reduce waiting times, improving hospital flow, and provide care for patients in the comfort and safety of their own homes.

"It’s clear to see the impact of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s new paediatric and neonatal services, helping children to stay at home while receiving hospital-level care."

The First Minister met with parents whose children had used the Hospital at Home service, including those who received intravenous antibiotics as outpatients.

Among them was Kirsty Thorburn, 32, whose 15-week-old son Albie was cared for through the programme following feeding and weight gain concerns.

Kirsty, from the East End, said: "It was great to be under the Hospital at Home as we were getting daily input from the clinicians without Albie having to be in a physical hospital.

"Having him at home meant I was more relaxed and was able to feed him and produce milk better.

"It just helped us be together at home with all of our comforts.

"He has been thriving since he got home."

NHSGGC has recently launched two new services within its broader virtual hospital model.

Paediatric Hospital at Home provides care and monitoring for children with conditions that don't require hospital admission, while Neonatal Hospital at Home allows babies with jaundice to receive treatment at home instead of spending days in hospital.

The new services form part of NHSGGC’s Transforming Together programme, which aims to deliver more care closer to home and reduce hospital stays.

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney during a visit to the Royal Children's Hospital in Glasgow (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

Three-week-old Krish Butti, who received phototherapy for jaundice through the neonatal service, was also able to return home for treatment.

His mother, Bijini Balan, 35, said: "We were much more comfortable at home, and it meant we were more settled.

"It was very beneficial not to have to spend days or weeks in hospital because he could have his treatment at home and the jaundice has completely disappeared now."

John Swinney heard from the family of seven-year-old Caleb McLellan, who received intravenous antibiotics through the outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) service.

His mother Joanne Campbell, from Stepps, said: "He was able to go to school for a couple of hours in the afternoon each day which meant he was able to see his friends and regain a sense of normality instead of being isolated and confined to hospital.

"Being at home also allowed him to spend time with his little sister, which was hugely important for both of them."

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney during a visit to the Royal Children's Hospital in Glasgow (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

Dr Neil Patel, clinical innovation director and consultant neonatologist at the RHC, said: “Our Hospital at Home programme is giving babies and children the opportunity to receive the same high‑quality care they’d receive in hospital, but in the place that’s most natural and comfortable for them - their own home.

“We’re seeing the benefits every day, from reduced hospital stays to better experiences for families at what can be a very stressful time.

“These services are a core part of NHSGGC’s virtual hospital and our wider Transforming Together agenda.

“By using technology, specialist nursing support, and innovative care pathways, we are safely shifting more hospital‑level care to the home environment, improving outcomes while helping families stay together.”