Plans to free up vital patient beds at hospitals this winter

NHS TRUST STEPPING UP HOME CARE SUPPORT SERVICES

- By LAURA CROSS

ENHANCED home support, private providers and rehabilitation care are to be available this winter to free up beds for patients at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital.

NHS Humber Health Partnership said it is working with Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and City Health Care Partnership to strengthen community facilities so patients can leave hospital when they're well enough.

Local accommodation will be used for people who leave hospital with nowhere to live to give them time to recover so they're not living on the streets during the coldest months after a serious illness or injury.

As well as this, more beds will be occupied in community care facilities by former patients well enough to leave hospital but not well enough to go home.