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Bed blocking money welcomed by council

By Martin Chapman on Friday, 11th January 2002.

OVER £3 million has been allocated to Suffolk County Council to ease the pressure of bed blocking in the NHS. This is nearly double the amount already received.

Suffolk County Council, in partnership with the NHS and private and
voluntary sectors, has already invested additional money to increase nursing
and residential home places in a bid to prevent hospital admissions.

Suffolk isn’t alone in facing these challenges, bed blocking is a national problem
which the Government has recognised. The situation facing Suffolk is not as bad as those faced by other regions.

A number of home care teams have been established which can respond quickly to help people go home sooner from hospital. Home care services now have extended cover at night to deal with emergencies which might otherwise lead to a GP referring the person to a hospital.

District nurses and others are involved in this approach, which has led to around 130 people being helped at home in west Suffolk, during the last year who otherwise would have been admitted to hospital.

Terry Green, of the council’s executive committee: said, "We very much welcome the additional £3.3 million from the Government. This will go a long way to achieving our strategy to rapidly reduce delayed transfers. We are working very closely with the NHS and other partners to be as effective as possible."

"Suffolk County Council and the NHS already have an action plan and we are checking its progress every month. This is very complicated and difficult work, and success will only come if we are able to make long-term commitments."

Joanna Spicer, chair of Suffolk Health Authority, said: "This extra funding is welcome news as it is greatly needed in Suffolk. The health authority will be working hard with the county council to put this money to good use."

Haverhill Weekly News

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