New deal to tackle bed blocking in Oxfordshire

A new deal has been drawn up between Oxfordshire County Council and the NHS to tackle bed blocking.

According to the Department of Health, nearly 200 people are taking up hospital beds in the county even though they are well enough to leave.

In September last year Oxfordshire was described as the worst region in England for bed blocking.

The new plans would see the number of people helped at home doubled to free up beds.

Bonus payments

Under the plans being discussed, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the reablement service on behalf of the council, will recruit more staff to look after people in the first six weeks after illness or injury.

They will help patients recover at home and help them adapt to any changes.

At the moment about 1,800 patients every year are assisted, but with the increase in staff Oxford Health aims to help 3,750 people a year.

The trust will be paid for the number of patients it supports and will receive a bonus if it achieves the council's target figure and increases people's independence.

The county council said it was speeding up the assessment process so that adequate care packages were in place for patients when they left hospital.

Councillor Arash Fatemian, cabinet member for adult services, said: "We're not just hoping to help people leave, but also help people to lead more independent lives at home.

"There is a bit of extra money for us to use, but it's more to do with restructuring how we work."