CareRooms Hospital Discharge Scheme Extended to Scarborough and Whitby

A scheme to ease the discharge of hospital patients through the short-term bed provisions operating out of people’s homes is being extended to Scarborough and Whitby.

As part of the CareRooms project, short-stay bed provision will be offered at the homes of people in the community that sign up to take part.

Those requiring support following discharge from hospital due to elective surgery, falls or illness would then stay the hosts’ homes.

The plan is now being trialled on the coast including Scarborough and Whitby, and seeks to offer a “unique and innovative approach to addressing ongoing pressures in the care market”, according to North Yorkshire County Council.

NYCC said that the plan will “harness the strengths, assets, and resources that exist within local communities”.

Last November Scarborough Hospital said it was under “extreme pressure” due to high numbers of patients waiting to be discharged.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said:

“We hope the CareRooms project will make a strong contribution towards relieving pressures on the health care system, by helping to free up hospital beds for new patients.

“Recruitment for hosts in the Scarborough district has now begun, with the provider advertising widely in the area.”

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Harrison added:

“This is an opportunity for residents to make a real contribution to society and we are anticipating it will be a great success and the results will be monitored as time progresses.

“Anyone who is interested in learning more about becoming a host can contact CareRooms on 03331 212 227 or support@carerooms.com via email.”

An NYCC report from last year states that the pilot will be extended across South Hambleton, Ryedale, Scarborough, Whitby, and Richmond while maintaining provision in Selby District.

“These areas would be targeted as they have been identified as areas with limited care provision,” according to the report.

The CareRooms website states that “hosts will be paid up to £50 a night” and that it has a “highly selective” process for vetting and choosing hosts.

• RELATED STORIES : New Project to Help NHS Bed Issues on Yorkshire Coast

The community initiative which was successfully trialled in Selby last year has led to a further two year contract between CareRooms.com and the local authority, which will provide more than 500 bed nights across the county from Richmond and Ryedale to Scarborough and Whitby.

Now CareRooms.com is launching a recruitment drive across the north of the county to find 20 new Hosts who can offer short-term  accommodation for people needing a homely environment after being discharged from hospital.

Potential Hosts will be vetted, interviewed and DBS checked. CareRooms.com have stringent safeguarding measures in place and provide a comprehensive training and support package for Hosts who will be paid £350 per week for the room.

Lizzie Gaudin from CareRooms Said:

‘There is a great deal of willingness in the community to try and help the NHS crisis and CareRooms.com and North Yorkshire County Council were encouraged by the success of the trial in the Selby area,’

‘Many of the Hosts who have joined us are former nurses and people in the caring professions who may have retired early but still want to be able to help their communities. And the feedback that we get from them is that they feel a great sense of achievement when they can help boost the
spirits and confidence of a Guest laid low after an illness.

‘It’s a real joy for them to see someone feel comfortable about going home and living independently again.

‘We are delighted that North Yorkshire Council backed us when we launched the trial and, having seen it’s early success, are partnering with us again for the next two years. It is an alternative choice for the future of our health care at a time when our NHS is struggling with bed shortages
and waiting lists.'

There is more information about becoming a CareRooms Host in our special feature CareRooms Hosts Needed on the Yorkshire Coast