BMJ report highlights success of SAS and Macmillan palliative care partnership

Published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the report found that the three‑year programme, launched in 2022, successfully reduced avoidable hospital admissions and provided more responsive, patient‑centred care within community settings, aligning with patients’ clear preference to remain at home whenever possible.

Key achievements identified include:

• 1,600 avoidable hospital admissions prevented
• £570,000 in cost savings for SAS
• £3.6–£5.6 million in reduced emergency department costs

Scott Mackinnon, Palliative and End of Life Care Programme Lead, said: ''This partnership with Macmillan has allowed us to fundamentally change how the Scottish Ambulance Service support people at the end of life.

“By strengthening decision-making, expanding community-based pathways, and equipping our clinicians with the skills and confidence to deliver care where it matters most, we’ve helped more people remain at home, avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, and receive care that genuinely reflects their wishes''

Gordon McLean, Devolved Nations Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “At Macmillan, we know how important it is for people to receive care that truly reflects what’s important to them.

“For many at the end of their life, that means staying in the familiarity and comfort of their own home and we’re really proud that our partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service has helped make that possible for more people.

“Our partnership has also reduced pressure on busy emergency departments, enabling hardworking healthcare professionals to focus on the people who need more complex care.” 

The programme has since been extended by the Scottish Government for another year, which is enabling the dedicated SAS team to continue transforming care for patients nearing the end of life, enhancing dignity, comfort, and choice while reducing pressure on emergency services.

The full BMJ report is available here: https://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2026/01/29/spcare-2025-005772