Families in Rutland are asked to help loved ones when they're ready to leave hospital.
It's to help reduce pressure on the NHS and free up beds for others in need of critical care.
Last updated 22nd Nov 2020
Families and friends are being asked to help loved ones leave hospital as soon as possible, once they are well, to help reduce the pressure on NHS services and free up beds for others in need of critical care.
Patients may also need help with shopping, getting prescriptions, or other care after they've been discharged.
Councillor Alan Walters, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health at Rutland County Council, said:
“We are in daily contact with all local hospitals to identify Rutland residents who are receiving treatment, then track each patient’s stay to work out what support they may need to transfer home, when they are medically fit and ready.
“To help with this, we ask people to think about the planning and practicalities that go into getting loved ones home from hospital, so we can avoid delays and keep our health services running as smoothly as possible. This is particularly important because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as we need to make sure hospitals have enough space for those in need of urgent care.”
Make sure you're safe when helping a loved one:
DO make sure you're well before lending assistance, especially to an older person or someone with the conditions listed at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
DO self-isolate if you're experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 and look after yourself.
DO consider others in your family or neighbourhood network who could offer help instead, if you are self-isolating
DO check for any trusted local networks you can use, many have already contacted local households
Mike Sands, director of public health for Rutland has this advice once at home , to limit the chances of them getting coronavirus:
"Use separate towels, if you're lucky enough to have a house with two bathrooms, maybe think about separate bathrooms and toilets.
"Might even be a time, if you've got a spare room, to think about sleeping apart, to limit that really close up contact
"Typical when you just come out, is to encourage ventilation in the home."