Evidence library

A mixed-methods evaluation conducted by the University of Edinburgh on the Cyrenians Hospital InReach project.

The evaluation examined the implementation and delivery of the Hospital In-reach project from the perspective of stakeholders such as hospital and community staff, and Hospital In-reach project team members. It also examined the impact of the programme in relation to readmission outcomes.

Operating across Edinburgh's major acute sites, the programme is an example of collaborative and preventative approaches, successfully bridged gaps between secondary care, primary care, and third-sector housing support.

Key findings

• Since the introduction of the Hospital In-reach project, there has been a significant reduction of 68.7% in readmissions compared to the 12 months prior to Hospital In-reach referral.
• The qualitative element of the evaluation suggested that this reduction in readmissions was due to the work of the Hospital In-reach team in acting as a bridge, connecting hospital secondary care services and homelessness/housing services in the community.
• This was widely seen by staff and patient interviewees as key to preventing discharges to inappropriate accommodation, including discharge to the streets, and in reducing readmissions to hospital.