A West Lothian doctor is leading the way in helping to build services across Scotland that allow people to be treated at home rather than hospital.
And with a strong sense of family firmly at the heart of Dr Latana Munang’s ethos, her role at Healthcare Improvement Scotland as National Clinical Lead for Hospital at Home, has given her a job with purpose.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland is supporting the development of Hospital at Home services which reduce hospital admissions for elderly patients by providing acute care in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. Latana brings her wealth of clinical experience to the role, supporting Hospital at Home services across the country to be established and to grow. Hospital at Home services now cover nearly every NHS board and health and social care partnership in Scotland.
Latana was born in Malaysia and came to the UK on a sixth form scholarship before gaining a place at Edinburgh University to study medicine. She spent a year in Singapore as part of her registrar training before returning to Scotland where she has remained ever since.
The mum-of-two began working at St John’s Hospital in Livingston in 2011 and has remained there since. She is currently a consultant working in general medicine and medicine of the elderly.
Latana said: “Growing up in Malaysia the family structure in Asian communities was very strong. When my granny became ill she moved in with us to be cared for and that was the norm.
“Differences in society and different pressures mean that’s not possible everywhere but I do think most people are happiest being at home with family when they are ill, if it’s an option, and I really enjoy being involved in how we can make that happen.”
Ten years ago Latana was a key figure in setting up Hospital at Home in West Lothian and she remains as committed today as then to “push the boundaries in providing the best possible care for the frail and elderly”.
Latest figures show the Hospital at Home programme has seen an increase of 68% in the number of patients. The amount of areas where Hospital at Home is an option for patients has also more than doubled.
Latana said: “Sometimes people are admitted to hospital as they feel there’s no other safe alternative, but actually for older and frail patients if it’s possible to stay in the security and familiarity of home that can be best for them.
“With Hospital at Home we have a visit at the beginning to see what needs to be organised for each patient. In many cases we are able to cut out unnecessary procedures that would have been done routinely in hospital when we consider how much more complicated it would be to do from home, as we sometimes realise they’re not needed.
“Hospital at Home is a true generalist service where on occasion we’ve had nurses change a lightbulb to prevent someone falling or check for out of date food in patient’s homes.
“Seeing people in their own homes gives us a different perspective and empowers them to feel their wishes and choices are being fully respected.”
For Latana and her husband Phil Buchan, whom she met at university, and their two children Leo (11) and Zola (9) home is Linlithgow. Latana said: “It’s a great place to live, it’s really family friendly with a strong sense of community.
“Spending time in other countries has made me appreciate the NHS and I’m lucky to be in a role that I feel so passionate about.”
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