New care team tasked with helping people return home after hospital
Dudley Council is to take on up to 80 new care staff to help people regain their independence and return home after hospital stays.
Local authority bosses hope the new reablement service – which will have a mantra of “Home first” - will also reduce the pressure on beds and the number of patients going from hospital into care homes.
Patients will be referred to a new community triage hub for assessment when they are ready to leave hospital.
The shake-up of the existing system will see up to 80 healthcare assistants taken on to provide care in homes and promote independence.
There will also be training, development and progression opportunities for existing Dudley Council staff and health employees.
The new team will be tasked with providing nearly 2,500 hours of care per week in the community, working with more than 130 people at any one time.
Councillor Matt Rogers, cabinet member for adult social care, said:
“In line with the national picture, Dudley has seen delays in patients returning home with packages of care from hospital.
“These delays reduce the capacity of the hospital to admit patients and cause delays in ambulance turn-around times.
“Patients discharged from hospital into care homes have little opportunity or incentive to help themselves and regain the confidence to return to their own homes. In many cases, as we know, they never do.
“By contrast, there is increasing evidence that people supported by specialist home care after a hospital stay can regain their independence much more quickly.
“Our new reablement system will ensure people can remain independent for longer, and also reduce discharge delays in hospitals and unnecessary admissions to care homes.”
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:
“The creation of so many new jobs in the care sector is great news for the borough, and for people looking for work in that field.
“Our adult social care team has a fantastic reputation and was highly praised for its excellent work throughout the Covid pandemic, helping our most vulnerable residents when they most needed it.
“This new reablement scheme will enable the team to continue their great work in the community.
“We are grateful to our partners in the Black Country Integrated Health Care Board for the additional funding that has made this service possible.”