The Problem
In Shropshire there are many pressures on the health and social care system. One such pinch point is the number of people who leave hospital but are readmitted for the same issue soon after, or are not able to leave hospital as soon they could because they don’t have the right support to allow them to stay at home, recover and get better so that they don’t need to go back to hospital.
What is the project about?
We want to offer people leaving hospital better “reablement” support – typically a range of services such as therapies such physio or occupational health, technology and community assets to help people to maintain independence.
Why does this matter?
In the long term it will reduce the number of people needing to go back into hospital for the same condition reduces demand on paid care support services, and delaying the need for this for as long as possible. This will mean there’s better resources for social care such as money, market capacity and our own staff, which are all under pressure from an ever ageing population that needs more and more support to meet more people’s needs. Good reablement might see more intensive support as people leave hospital but in the long term it needs less support and the support that is given fits around the individual and is delivered in their own home.
Most importantly, this is also much better for the individual and allows people to take responsibility for their health and to stay independent at home for as long as possible. It’s also delivering on the Shropshire Plan, supporting a healthy population and helping people to live their best life in Shropshire.
How will the project be implemented?
Our START Team (Short Term Assessment Reablement Team) are expanding their scope and work and we’re now mapping out how we invest to boost this team’s skills and facilities, looking at where new technology can also help, for example to reduce reliance for ongoing care and helping them stay healthy and reduce hospital admissions and the need for long term support. This will also reduce pressure on the NHS and ambulance handovers.
Who is involved?
A number of areas in Adult Social Care including the START team, social workers as well as partners in the NHS and private care providers
When is it happening?
Now! We are implementing this new approach which will help to save almost £5 million over the next 12 months.