Nursing Home Block Beds to Support Hospital Discharge in Worcestershire

The Government announced on the 9th January it was making £200 million available to the NHS to enable it to purchase extra beds in care homes and other settings to help discharge more patients to free up hospital beds. In Worcestershire, the NHS has requested that these extra beds are commissioned by the County Council on its behalf.The County Council is therefore looking to work with a small number of care homes who can mobilise rapidly to enable admissions of some individuals currently awaiting discharge home for short-term care in a care home.These individuals, will generally have care needs which would not normally require admission to a care home i.e. their nursing needs, if any, could be met at home by District Nurses and all other needs by agencies and families etc. However, some will be requiring "double-up" packages at home so will require that level of support in the care home too. More detailed information on types of needs to be supported are provided in the accompanying ‘pen-pictures’.The NHS wishes to secure a total of 15 beds across two locations on a ‘block bed’ basis and expressions of interest are invited on this basis. It is anticipated that the block provision will end on the 31st March 2023.Please note:• Invitations are invited from registered nursing homes only• Nursing homes rated as ‘Inadequate’ by CQC are excluded from this invitation as are homes under a ‘Full’ suspension of admissions by the County Council • Homes must be able to accept admissions 7 days per week• Hospitals will require prompt admissions after referral – same day or, at most, within 24 hours• Homes must be fully resourced and staffed to take admissions during week commencing 16th January.Additional information:• The hospital social work team will work with the homes regarding onward planning. Contact details will be provided• An individual’s length of stay will not exceed 28 days and may be considerably less• Transfer of patients is subject to acceptance of registration with a local GP to ensure that clinical support is available should this be required• All individuals discharged from hospital will have an appropriate care plan, TTO’s to cover the 4 weeks and appropriate equipment• Homes will not be expected to accept more than one or two discharges per day.If you are interested in this opportunity please request the proformas from Peter Davies pdavies2@worcestershire.gov.uk by 5.00 pm Monday 16th January Please note:Your expression of interest will by no means constitute a commitment to take it forward as the County Council will have to assess demand and interest. However, we will commit to sharing information and keep you updated. Additional information: Please refer to supporting documents for information ref the process. Request from Peter Davies pdavies2@worcestershire.gov.uk by 5.00 pm Monday 16th January