‘Huge impact’ of hospital scheme

MORE THAN a thousand vulnerable patients in the Bradford area have been helped on their return home from hospital in just two years.
The scheme covers Bradford, Wharfdale and Airedale, including Airedale Hospital, pictured.The scheme covers Bradford, Wharfdale and Airedale, including Airedale Hospital, pictured.
The scheme covers Bradford, Wharfdale and Airedale, including Airedale Hospital, pictured.

Home from Hospital (HfH) sees staff and volunteers offer assistance including practical and emotional support, from setting up telephone shopping to helping arrange prescriptions.

Based at Carers’ Resource in Shipley, the services covers patients in Airedale, Wharfedale and Bradford, and has been found to reduce hospital admission rates by around 4.5 per cent. It is funded by the respective CCGs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

HfH manager Shelley Marshall said: “Going home after a stay in hospital can have a big affect on people’s wellbeing and their confidence, and we find that our short-term support – even if it’s a visit to check on how they’re doing and some encouragement to take up activities – can have a huge impact on helping people recover, stay well and stay out of hospital.

“Our straightforward and inexpensive support has undoubtedly been shown to reduce the number of unnecessary, distressing and costly admissions as well as patients reporting they feel less anxious and more able to cope.”

Rose Harrison, 83, of Keighley, was given support and information about nearby services by HfH after her husband Geoffrey, who has dementia, returned home from a stay at Airedale Hospital.

She said: “Life isn’t easy as you get older and just having someone to talk to and to suggest new things we can do means such a lot to us. You can easily lose touch with what’s going on, and what you can go to.”

For more information contact HfH on 01274 531377.

Related topics: