The home medical assistance market - France

Medical assistance at home is a practice of allowing patients to receive medical care in their own homes. The duration and therapeutic conditions of home care are defined by a health professional. This type of service is intended for people who are dependent, disabled or suffering from certain pathologies or health problems. Home assistance generally requires the use of medical equipment, but differs from HAH (hospitalization at home) in that it involves less intensive care. The illnesses treated include chronic illnesses requiring recurrent treatment (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnoea, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, etc.). The French home medical assistance market is growing, particularly due to the ageing of the population, which favours the appearance of numerous private structures. One of the major opportunities of the eastern sector technological progress (remote monitoring, connected medical equipment, etc.) which promises to be a growth lever in the years to come. There is a great diversity of players on the market such as SOS Oxygen, Bastide Group or Air Liquide via various subsidiaries such as Orkyn' or LVL Medical. The market has undergone significant consolidation in recent years, which may continue in the future. The staffing needs in this sector of the home health care providers (PSAD) are growing, with an average annual increase of 6% in recent years. During the Covid-19 crisis, HHCP players were important in treating patients at home or in nursing homes, with an investment of €8 million in new concentrators in 2020. Nevertheless, the postponement of the treatment of certain chronic patients has affected the activity of the players.