Home support for all outpatients introduced across Surrey as county council looks to reduce readmissions to hospital

Contracts have been awarded to the British Red Cross and Home Group by Surrey County Council to help people settle in at home after being discharged, and reduce the chances of them being readmitted.

Jointly funded by the county council and Surrey’s six clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), the service will be available 365 days a year and has been extended to cover community hospitals, together with the county’s six acute centres. Once patients are about to go home they will be made aware and offered the service.

Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, Mel Few, said: “Our approach is all about everyone pulling together as one team.

“Not only will these joint contracts help patients settle back into their own homes, they will ensure taxpayers’ money goes further at a time when our budgets are under growing strain from rising demand for services including social care.

“Going home after a stay in hospital can be a daunting prospect, which is why together with the CCGs it was essential to ensure support is on hand seven days a week, 365 days a year and at the same time reduce the chances of people being readmitted with similar problems.”

The council has also adopted a new charter to show its commitment to helping people with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Cabinet member for health and wellbeing, Helyn Clack, signed the Motor Neurone Disease Association’s five-point charter to help those suffering from the disease.

Mrs Clack said: “Having met the East Surrey branch of MND and listened to their stories, I am delighted to be able to support them by signing their charter on behalf of Surrey County Council. I hope this will lead the way for other organisations to give them the support to deliver the charter’s vision and improve the standards of care for this awful disease.”

MND is a progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, in the brain and spinal cord.