NHS plans for care at home move closer

THE story, Local NHS plans to provide more care at home moves closer to implementation,appeared in the Courier on Friday, July 28, issue 1148.

Plans to increase the provision of personalised out-of-hospital services have been moved forward by NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS NEW Devon CCG).

The CCG is accountable for the commissioning of healthcare services to meet the needs of the people in the Northern, Eastern and Western parts of Devon and are responsible for delivering care that meets the needs of all residents, doing so in a way that makes the best use of taxpayer funding.

Your Future Care proposals, which were subject to a 13-week public consultation that closed earlier this year, set out to move away from the existing bed-based model of care by providing more care in people’s homes and avoiding hospital admissions where possible.

Devon County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, which met in July, passed a motion in favour of not referring the decision to the Secretary of State and requested that the CCG and Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust continue to work with the communities and report progress.

Further information specific to each of the four community hospitals will be provided in due course.

Please let me know your thoughts on the provision of care at home.

You can contact me at: 102 High Street, Crediton or by email at: [email protected] .

What you told us ...

Care in the community is good but I have reservations because I’m not sure that sufficient resources will be available. Many care agencies have cut their time to 20 minutes per visit and it’s not long enough. They need to put the resources in place. Devon County Council closed St Lawrence Care Home and has sold it. Unless they release the pressure on hospitals, care in the community is the only way forward.

Tony Taylor, Exeter

My idea is that they re-open St Lawrence Care Home and people could go there when they come out of hospital and be looked after in one place. The hospitals are struggling and people need somewhere to go to be cared for.

Crediton Resident

I think they should have beds in smaller hospitals like Crediton hospital for people to go to. I don’t think care in the home is right - It’s not the same as being cared for in a hospital. Someone popping in is not enough.

Clara Kerry, Crediton

I agree. I think it would help them to be in their own environment. I think there are enough carers around to give the care needed. And I think people will do better at home.

Crediton Resident

I agree with that. It will help keep hospitals clear for people who do need the beds. I think people will get the right sort of care and may do better in their own homes.

Mary Carter, Spreyton

I’m under the NHS at the moment. They have been brilliant - I can’t fault them. I was in hospital for a long time and was very ill. I had home care when I first came out. I think people benefit from being in their own homes.

Mr Douglas Gay, Crediton