We Will Take Care of Elderly in Their Homes (UK)

October 21, 2009

ELDERLY people across the East Riding are to be treated in their homes to relieve the strain on hospitals.

By 2013, the number of over-65s living in the county is expected to have risen by 23 per cent compared with 2009-10.

Neighbourhood health teams – which are already set up in Bridlington and Goole – are being introduced across the county to reduce the impact on hospital services.

These will enable patients to receive care from community nurses and therapists in their own homes up until 11pm.

The scheme will help the region's primary care trust in its aim to reduce hospital admissions by 10 per cent by 2013 – saving 4,000 beds per year.

"A lot of patients would prefer to be given care in the comfort of their own homes and to stay out of hospital."

But Professor Barbara English, secretary of the Beverley Action Health Group, criticised the move.

She said: "Patients do not stop being ill beyond 11pm and may have an acute attack at 3am in the morning.

"It is operated on a 24-hour basis in other areas of the country where it has been implemented and it should be here for it to work well. Otherwise it will be a disaster.

Abridged

SOURCE:    This is Hull and East Riding, UK

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