‘Smooth transition’: Patients to receive intensive support following a hospital stay in new council initiative

Islington Town Hall. Photograph: Islington Citizen

Patients could get intensive help in the first week after leaving hospital as part of a new Town Hall scheme.

Islington Council is introducing a seven-day recovery plan which aims to help an estimated 650 people a year.

Discharged patients will get home care and their future needs will be assessed.

The council looked at similar schemes used by councils in Wales and the north of England while drawing up its plan.

It said: “This recovery period can support people to get rested enough for reablement or to naturally recover themselves with home care support.”

Some people will also get six weeks of support that is designed to help boost their independence after a hospital stay and reduce the need for longer-term care.

The council will work with home care agencies to help with a “smooth transition for those who do need longer term packages of support”.

Councillor Nurullah Turan, the executive member for health and social care, said: “We’re determined to create a more equal future, where our residents can live healthy, independent lives.

“As part of this, we work tirelessly to ensure that residents are fully supported in the community and following a stay in hospital, and we are always looking for ways to enhance this care.”

He added: “Our new locality-based home care model – which includes a seven-day recovery model – reflects this, providing the opportunity for residents to receive care in their own homes following discharge, and allowing for thorough assessments to be made about any necessary longer-term support.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the positive benefits that this brings to people across the borough.”

Last year, 3,900 residents were using long-term adult social care and the demand is expected to grow with an ageing population.

The pandemic also affected demand for extra home care, with more people with high needs discharged rapidly from hospital. Residents were also reluctant to go into care homes because they were “associated nationally with high fatalities from Covid”, according to a Town Hall report.

In the last six months, demand has reduced and the number of home care hours has fallen.

The council has a budget of £170m for adult home care over the next eight years. According to a report to the executive, using the seven-day scheme and improving its in-house reablement service will reduce this figure to £151m.