A pioneering Falkirk project helping people return home sooner after a hospital stay has been shortlisted for a prestigious 2026 COSLA Excellence Award.

The Shifting the Balance initiative, led by Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership, is one of just 15 projects selected as finalists from entries submitted by local authorities across Scotland.

Falkirk’s Shifting the Balance project was launched last summer to help people get home from hospital as soon as possible.

Using a ‘Discharge to Assess’ model, people were supported to recover at home while their ongoing care needs were assessed in a more familiar environment, rather than from a hospital bed.

Since its introduction, hospital stays have reduced significantly, with delayed discharges falling to their lowest level since April 2022. The average hospital stay for patients discharged through the pathway fell from 79 days in June to 36 days by August.

The project, led by Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership, involved local care at home services, the Mobile Emergency Care Service, and a wide range of care support from Home First, ReACH, District Nursing, and Allied Health Professionals.

Following a call for entries from all 32 Scottish local authorities, the project was selected as one of just 15 finalists by an independent panel of industry and sector experts.

The shortlist showcases outstanding examples of innovation and best practice in local government across five categories: Leading Innovation; Improving in Partnership; Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health; Strengthening Communities and Local Democracy; and Building Towards a Just Transition.

Finalists have been invited to present their projects in person to a panel of judges later this month, led by COSLA President Shona Morrison.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at COSLA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, which will take place on Thursday 19th November 2026 at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews.

Claire Chapman, Interim Head of Community Services, Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Being recognised as a finalist is a fantastic achievement and reflects the commitment of colleagues across health, social care and the independent sector who worked together to make Shifting the Balance a success.

“By helping people return home sooner and supporting their recovery in familiar surroundings, we have improved outcomes for local residents while reducing pressure on hospital services. Most importantly, this approach has shown that with the right support in place, many people can regain independence and continue living well at home for longer.”

Councillor Shona Morrison, COSLA’s President and Chairperson of the Excellence Awards, said: “Reaching this stage is a remarkable achievement, and you should be immensely proud. Congratulations to our 15 finalists – I cannot wait to see your presentations in the final round! To every council team that submitted an entry – thank you.

“The COSLA Excellence Awards were created to celebrate exactly this talent and dedication. On behalf of all COSLA member councils, I am deeply grateful for the unwavering commitment of our council teams across the country whose work is vital to us all. Please join me in recognising the hard work on display, and I look forward to revealing the winners at the COSLA Conference and Exhibition ceremony this November.”

Falkirk’s Shifting the Balance project is nominated in Category 2 ‘Improving in Partnership’:

A full list of this year’s finalists can be found on the COSLA website.