Scheme to ease discharge of hospital patients extended to Scarborough and Whitby
It's part of the 'CareRooms' project
A scheme to ease the discharge of hospital patients through the short-term bed provisions operating out of people’s homes is being extended to Scarborough.
As part of the CareRooms project, short-stay bed provision will be offered at the homes of people in the community that sign up to take part.
Those requiring support following discharge from hospital due to elective surgery, falls or illness would then stay the hosts’ homes.
The plan is now being trialled on the coast including Scarborough and Whitby, and seeks to offer a “unique and innovative approach to addressing ongoing pressures in the care market”, according to North Yorkshire County Council.
NYCC said that the plan will “harness the strengths, assets, and resources that exist within local communities”.
Last November Scarborough Hospital said it was under “extreme pressure” due to high numbers of patients waiting to be discharged.
North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: “We hope the CareRooms project will make a strong contribution towards relieving pressures on the health care system, by helping to free up hospital beds for new patients.
“Recruitment for hosts in the Scarborough district has now begun, with the provider advertising widely in the area.”
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Harrison added: “This is an opportunity for residents to make a real contribution to society and we are anticipating it will be a great success and the results will be monitored as time progresses.
“Anyone who is interested in learning more about becoming a host can contact CareRooms on 03331 212 227 or support@carerooms.com via email.”
An NYCC report from last year states that the pilot will be extended across South Hambleton, Ryedale, Scarborough, Whitby, and Richmond while maintaining provision in Selby District.
“These areas would be targeted as they have been identified as areas with limited care provision,” according to the report.
The CareRooms website states that “hosts will be paid up to £50 a night” and that it has a “highly selective” process for vetting and choosing hosts.
Earlier this month, Scarborough Council’s Planning Committee rejected an application seeking to build a 100-bed care home in East Ayton.
The developer called on members of the committee to approve the plan, stating that “there is a high level of need for this type of development in Scarborough”.
However, the plan was rejected after some councillors opposing the plan stated that it would have an adverse effect on the area and refuted the suggestion that there was a need for more care homes in the area.