With the NHS under extreme pressure this winter Athena Care Homes is working with a neighbouring hospital to support patients being discharged.
The winter beds programme at Ashlynn Grange, in Peterborough sees the team working in partnership with North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust to provide extra care for patients who are medically fit for discharge but are unable to return to their own homes.
It may be that patients need additional support with mobility, are awaiting a care package or have continued rehabilitation needs.
The home can provide expert care, nutritious meals and the reassurance the patients need while teams from the hospital including occupational health and physiotherapists visit to continue their work with patients.
For many, the home provides short-term care and they are soon ready to return to their own homes, while others remain at the home while longer term care plans are put in place.
The scheme frees up beds in the trust’s hospitals, including Peterborough City Hospital which borders the care home site, and allows medics to focus on those with acute needs.
The scheme was made possible following the recent refurbishment of the Milton Lodge community at Ashlynn Grange, which opened up 41 modern bedrooms for residents.
As a result, the home was able to allocate the Yeoman community, previously used for nursing care, to the winter bed scheme and the unit has been incredibly busy, with up to five discharges and five admissions daily.
Cathy Frost, General Manager at Ashlynn Grange Care Home, said: “We know that delayed discharges add extra pressure to the NHS, but by working in partnership with the hospital trust we have been able to help ease some of that pressure and provide patients with a safe, supportive environment to recuperate.”
“Our teams are working with patients to build their strength and independence as well as aiding their recovery.”
A spokesman for North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Peterborough City, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and Rutland Hospitals, said: “We are pleased to have been able to use all of the 41 beds available within the last few weeks, and are very grateful for the ongoing support and partnership of Ashlynn Grange.”
Find more information on the newly-refurbished Milton Lodge here
