New health unit to open
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 8th November 2001.
A SPECIAL home to help elderly people recover more quickly from stays in hospital and reduce bed blocking opens in Haverhill next week.
A rehabilitation unit has been created in a six-month pilot project based at the Place Court residential home in Camps Road.
A total of £44,000 will be spent on extra equipment, adaptations and staff, including a social worker, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and rehabilitation assistant.
The aim is to help elderly people regain health and independence more quickly, as well as reducing the number of delayed discharges from hospitals.
It is a partnership initiative between local NHS Trust Partnerships, Suffolk Social Care Services and West Suffolk Borders Primary Care Group.
Michelle Glass, the unit's occupational therapist, said some people from the Haverhill area may currently be in Newmarket, Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds or Addenbrooke's hospitals with no medical need to be there.
They might be recovering from hip replacement, a broken leg or pneumonia and lack the confidence to return home, even with help.
"Others may be struggling to cope at home after having the confidence knocked out of them by an illness, such as a chest infection, and could easily end up in hospital if it were not for the pilot project.
"While its prime aim is to help elderly people regain their independence as soon as possible, it will also stop them from being admitted unnecessarily in the first place and, if they are already there, allow them home earlier," Ms Glass said.
Carol Cranfield, manager at Place Court, said Cedar House, the base for the pilot scheme, would take referrals from Monday, November 12.
Patients admitted will be over 65 and registered with five practices in Haverhill, plus those in Clare or Wickhambrook. Four beds will be available for stays of up to six weeks and three for one or two weeks.
"This is a brand-new local service for people from the Haverhill area and is an excellent example of partnership working involving the health and social care services working together for the benefit of the community," Mrs Cranfield said.
People at the unit will be encouraged to look after themselves, as far as possible, cooking their own meals and washing themselves, as part of the rehabilitation process. The pilot project will be monitored and evaluated and if successful, it is hoped to make it a permanent service.
A rehabilitation unit has been created in a six-month pilot project based at the Place Court residential home in Camps Road.
A total of £44,000 will be spent on extra equipment, adaptations and staff, including a social worker, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and rehabilitation assistant.
The aim is to help elderly people regain health and independence more quickly, as well as reducing the number of delayed discharges from hospitals.
It is a partnership initiative between local NHS Trust Partnerships, Suffolk Social Care Services and West Suffolk Borders Primary Care Group.
Michelle Glass, the unit's occupational therapist, said some people from the Haverhill area may currently be in Newmarket, Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds or Addenbrooke's hospitals with no medical need to be there.
They might be recovering from hip replacement, a broken leg or pneumonia and lack the confidence to return home, even with help.
"Others may be struggling to cope at home after having the confidence knocked out of them by an illness, such as a chest infection, and could easily end up in hospital if it were not for the pilot project.
"While its prime aim is to help elderly people regain their independence as soon as possible, it will also stop them from being admitted unnecessarily in the first place and, if they are already there, allow them home earlier," Ms Glass said.
Carol Cranfield, manager at Place Court, said Cedar House, the base for the pilot scheme, would take referrals from Monday, November 12.
Patients admitted will be over 65 and registered with five practices in Haverhill, plus those in Clare or Wickhambrook. Four beds will be available for stays of up to six weeks and three for one or two weeks.
"This is a brand-new local service for people from the Haverhill area and is an excellent example of partnership working involving the health and social care services working together for the benefit of the community," Mrs Cranfield said.
People at the unit will be encouraged to look after themselves, as far as possible, cooking their own meals and washing themselves, as part of the rehabilitation process. The pilot project will be monitored and evaluated and if successful, it is hoped to make it a permanent service.
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