LIVE-IN CARE CAN SUPPORT NHS INITIATIVE TO TACKLE WAITING LISTS
The NHS has announced that it is investing £160 million to tackle waiting lists and develop a blue print for elective surgery recoveries. Details have been released of how it is trialing new approaches that will help reduce the massive backlog of elective operations by enabling hospitals to move ‘faster and further’.
The new approaches focus on improving patient support and care, predominantly outside the hospital environment. Initiatives being implemented include virtual wards and home assessments, at-home antibiotic kits, ‘pre-hab’ for patients about to undergo surgery and special ‘Super Saturday clinics’ where multidisciplinary teams come together at the weekend to offer more specialist appointments and support.
In line with these initiatives, an additional way hospitals could achieve faster progress on reducing waiting lists and freeing up hospital beds is if more patients were able to continue their post procedure care within their own home with the support of an experienced live-in carer. But this would only be possible if more local authorities and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) recognise the benefits of live-in care as an affordable and effective way to provide support for someone outside the hospital environment. Here are just a few of the benefits:
• A live-in carer can provide physical support, companionship and every level of personal care to help a person with their recovery.
• With a live-in carer in place, families can be confident that their loved one is safe and receiving one-to-one care, 24 hours a day.
• A live-in carer can encourage their client to follow any health plan provided as part of the discharge from hospital, including exercise plans and dietary needs, monitoring medication and recovery progress, as well as ensuring follow-up appointments are not missed.
• Privacy and comfort – a live-in carer can help someone with all their personal care needs – full assistance with mobility (using a hoist); assistance with bathing, washing and dressing (including help getting into and out of the bath or shower); continence care and help with toileting (including the emptying of commodes or catheters) – in the privacy and comfort of their own home.
• With the pandemic continuing to be a concern for all, a live-in carer can ensure that all advice and protocols are followed, minimising any risk.
No one wishes to spend any more time than necessary in hospital and this has been particularly so throughout the COVID pandemic when having visitors has not been allowed.
Otus Live-in Care is a privately owned company offering a bespoke service introducing personal live-in carers and companions to clients in their own homes. We are dedicated to help provide support for those who want to remain living in their own home independently, but with the security that they have someone living with them to deliver support and provide companionship. To find out more, call us on 01403 710119 or email [email protected].