Some hospital patients will be moved to care homes to ease pressures on NHS
A North Lincolnshire Care Home Manager fears the impact this could have on the care sector
The Health Secretary's announced emergency plans designed to help ease pressure on the NHS in England.
Among the immediate measures, the government will block-book beds in residential homes, so that around 2 and a half thousand people can be discharged from hospital.
Up to £200 million is going to be spent on buying thousands of extra care home beds to speed up the discharge of patients.
Some of the strain on the NHS comes from around 13,000 people occupying hospital beds, that are medically fit to leave.
We spoke to a Care Home Manager, who works for Jasmine Healthcare Limited, who provides care homes in places in North Lincolnshire like Brigg.
Tracey Mussett says that this may cause more problems in the future:
"I think that, you know, it's gonna be really good to ease the pressure off the NHS and you know, obviously cut ambulance waiting times, because that is a big thing in care homes. When we ask for an ambulance, sometimes we are waiting a long time, and things like that, you know, no fault of their own. It's just the way things are.
"I think that might benefit care homes in the end. I just think if they are going to do it, the discharges need to be done properly, and at a really high standard, and everything needs to be put in place before these people are leaving hospitals.
"They need to make sure that they are definitely medically fit to leave before they send them out, because for example we're a residential dementia care home, we're not a nursing care home. So we don't have nurses here. I've got a very, very strong senior team, but they're not nurses at the end of the day."
Tracey continued to mention that many care homes she's aware of, are full, with waiting lists. She fears this transfer of patients might add pressure to the care sector:
"This is a skilled profession and it's something you've got to be passionate about and want to do. Nobody can come into care as just a job. It has got to be part of your way of life, because what you take from here, you take home every night, you know. We're with people at the happiest time, but at the saddest time as well. Day in, day out and to be able to carry that on your shoulders is a big thing.
"I think nurses and should be getting what they deserve. But so should carers, you know, and I think, some of the carers are going to be turning around soon and saying, well, you know they're sending them all from the hospital to us. Where's our, pay rise? You know, things like that.
"So and that's when I think they'll be the problems. When staff, you know, carers start feeling even more undervalued than what they do now."
Discharged patients will be given the support they need from GPs, nurses and other community-based clinicians to continue their recovery.
The Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, has said six areas will trial innovative long-term solutions to free up hospital beds, and make sure patients get the right care at the right time, which could be rolled out across the NHS if successful.
Earlier Health Secretary Steve Barclay has expressed regret as he admitted emergency care has "not been acceptable in recent weeks" for some patients and staff in England.
Mr Barclay said the "worst flu season for 10 years" has made this winter "particularly tough", before he outlined a series of measures to alleviate the crisis in the NHS.
He said the Government will spend up to £200 million buying thousands of extra care home beds to speed up the discharge of hospital patients and reduce the strain on hospitals.
Mr Barclay also confirmed £50 million additional capital funding for hospitals.
Labour branded the policies a "sticking plaster".
Making a statement on NHS winter pressures, Mr Barclay told the Commons: "I and the Government regret the experience for some patients and staff in emergency care has not been acceptable in recent weeks."
Mr Barclay said an emergency recovery plan for the NHS had been drawn up, with the aim of addressing three areas: the immediate crisis, preparing for next winter, and longer term prevention of ill health to safeguard the system.
Some of the strain on the NHS comes from around 13,000 people occupying hospital beds in England - despite being medically fit to discharge - because they need further care before going home.
The Government plans to book beds in residential homes, boost capacity in A&Es, and stop inspections of emergency staff to ease the immediate NHS crisis, Mr Barclay said.