Treatment at home plan as beds set to go

THE number of in-patient beds at a community rehabilitation unit at St Mary's Hospital in Leeds could be cut. People that use the service, their families and carers as well as the public and organisations that work across health and social care in the city are being asked to have a say on the changes.

The Community Rehabilitation Unit (CRU) is run by NHS Leeds Community Healthcare to provide rehabilitation and long-term support for patients with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and those who have suffered a stroke.

Health bosses says the proposals will allow patients to be treated closer to their homes and in some cases at home.

The plans include:

Reducing the number of in-patient beds from 15 to 10.

Creating more flexible in-patient services to provide a wider range of admission options, such as shorter or longer stays and offering patients a choice about where they receive their treatment.

Increasing outpatient services such as physiotherapy and psychology assessment.

Staff able to spend more time treating people in their own homes, if that is better for individuals.

Head of neurology services for NHS Leeds Community Healthcare Megan Rowlands said: "This is a very exciting time for the CRU as we respond to the ever- changing needs of our patients.

"However, in order to ensure our services offer the best level of care we will need to reduce the number of available in-patient beds in the CRU from 15 to 10." More information on the changes at the CRU can be found online at www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/cru/

Comments can be emailed to [email protected] or by telephone to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0800 0525 270.