Across the UK, there are just over 163,000 hospital beds, or around 2.35 beds per 1,000 population, including approximately 102,000 general and acute (G&A) beds available for patients at any given time.

This imbalance reflects a broader challenge in healthcare systems worldwide: ensuring capacity is available where it’s most needed, while empowering patients to stay well and recover at home whenever possible.

With the ongoing challenge of capacity across the various places and systems, a key question remains: How do we reimagine care pathways to make community-based models a reality? From my experience and through ongoing discussions with healthcare colleagues and other industry leaders, the answer lies in blending cutting-edge technology, real-world evidence (RWE), and collaborative innovation to begin to shift the focus from hospital-first care to a sustainable, community-driven approach.

The State of Play: Community Care Today

Health systems like the NHS have already made early strides with initiatives such as virtual wards, which provide hospital-level care at home through remote monitoring and community-based interventions. As of 2024, over 12,400 virtual ward beds are estimated to be operational in the UK, helping patients avoid prolonged hospital stays without compromising on the quality of their care. 

Over in the US, systems like Kaiser Permanente have demonstrated similar success, with integrated digital platforms and home-based care models improving outcomes and reducing costs. At a global level, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified digital health as a critical enabler for equitable, accessible care. Indeed, its global strategy highlights AI and digital solutions as a cornerstone in bridging healthcare gaps, improving outcomes, and empowering patients across all settings.

However, despite these encouraging developments, community care remains underfunded and underutilised in many geographies. Resources are often channelled into acute and specialist care, leaving significant gaps in access for patients with chronic and rare conditions. By prioritising hospital-focused pathways, we risk missing opportunities to address health issues earlier and prevent avoidable admissions.

Leveraging Data, AI, and Digital Tools to Bridge the Gap

Making care in the community an integrated and sustainable reality is a core preoccupation for myself and many other colleagues across the health systems we engage with. This is something that demands advanced data-driven tools, scalable digital innovation, and key support systems to deliver targeted patient-centred solutions that empower them to stay well at home – ultimately better connecting patients, carers, and providers. 

In delivering this pathway, digital triaging holds one of the most impactful roles in ensuring that patients are able to receive the right care in the right place at the right time. These tools use AI-driven stratification and virtual questionnaires to rapidly assess patients and direct them to the right level of care. While high-risk individuals can be prioritised for urgent or specialised care, lower acuity patients can be safely redirected for support in the community and wraparound, digital remote monitoring. 

Equally transformative is the integration of wearable devices, electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs), and longitudinal health data. These tools empower patients to take ownership of their health, providing visibility into key metrics that can help to change their lifestyle or behavioural choices, while enabling care teams to identify risks early. By combining predictive analytics with personalised coaching and support, we can create proactive care pathways that reduce hospital admissions and improve long-term outcomes.

The Road Ahead

The path to sustainable, community-first care models is not without its challenges. Implementing digital innovations at scale requires significant investment, clear policy direction, and a willingness to embrace change. But the rewards are immense: improved outcomes for patients, reduced pressure on hospitals, and a more equitable healthcare system.

As we look to the future, one thing is clear: the integration of digital health solutions isn’t just an aspiration — it’s a necessity. By leveraging technology, we have the opportunity to build a healthcare system that meets patients where they are, supporting better health and wellbeing closer to home.

For those interested in learning more about what’s being done to drive forward transformation in this space, we would love to hear from you at [email protected] or visit www.saniushealth.com.