An innovative service to help people return to their homes after a hospital stay has saved the NHS 5,000 days of hospital care.
Care homes in Carlisle, Workington and Maryport offer 28 beds as part of the intermediate care service.
A multi-disciplinary team from North Cumbria Integrated Care, adult social care and third sector professionals work with patients to help support them to regain independence and to return home.
The team works with the Transfer of Care hub and wards at Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital and community hospitals to identify patients who no longer need to be in hospital and are suitable for the intermediate care beds.
It was set up in 2023 and the trust said it avoids hospital bed days, reduces overall costs and improves patient experience.
As soon as a patient arrives, they are encouraged to take care of themselves, making meals, regaining independence and the confidence that they would need to be able to go home.
The teams work closely with the patients to agree rehab goals and set a time frame to work towards, with a view to have completed their rehabilitation within 14 to 16 days.
Paul Carruthers, Transfer of Care Hub manager at the trust, said: “We’re really proud of the work we’re doing and what we’re managing to achieve through this work.
“We know people want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible and avoid lengthy and unnecessary hospital stays.
“We aim to give targeted care from a range of specialties to get people back on their feet as quickly as we can.
“The average length of stay is under the national average, currently sitting at around 23 days and coming in at around £4,000 less than the average hospital stay.”
Last month, Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, visited the service in action at a Carlisle care home and endorsed the project on Radio 2 later that day.
On the Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio 2, Mr Streeting said: “I was in Carlisle at a care home that was providing stepdown care for patients to get out of hospital.
“What was amazing was, not only the lovely en suite rooms, but they would be around half the price of hospital beds. So I know we can deliver, a better experience, at better value for the taxpayer all whilst freeing up valuable bed space in our hospitals.”
