A new convalescence service to help people recuperate following discharge from hospital will launch on June 7th.
Carmarthenshire County Council secured £200,000 of funding to provide 20 convalescence beds under the Welsh Assembly’s Invest 2 Save Improvement Fund.
Eight convalescence, or ‘step down’ beds will come in to service at Maesllewellyn, Newcastle Emlyn, and a further 12 at Llys-y-bryn, Llanelli, to provide additional support to medically fit patients who have been discharged from hospital.
Two new social workers have also been employed.
Managed in partnership with Hywel Dda Health Board, the beds will allow patients a short period of recuperation in a home-based setting where they can regain confidence and independence, and ultimately return to their home.
The beds will also allow social care teams more scope to assess each service user’s long-term needs.
The investment will mean long-term savings and will also mean people will be able to return to their own communities, supported with a tailored package of care in their own homes, and will also help reduce levels of delayed transfers of care.
Sheila Porter, head of integrated services, said: “Health and social care partners have been working together towards reducing the level of delayed transfers of care in the county for a number of years.
“A significant amount of work has been undertaken, and the development of the convalescence beds will help to support this reduction through improved planning between health and social care.
“It will also provide support for patients who are medically fit for discharge but need additional support to increase their confidence and ability to return to their previous level of independence.”
Hywel Dda Health Board County Director Linda Williams said: “We are pleased to be working with Carmarthenshire Council on this partnership project, which reflects our desire to provide more care closer to people’s homes and communities, where possible.”
Cllr Pat Jones, executive board member for health and social care, added: “These beds will lead to a significant reduction in delayed transfers of care as patients will continue their rehabilitation in a more appropriate care setting before returning home.
“These are not long-term placements, but they will make the transition from hospital to home a lot less stressful for service users and their families.”
