Kirklees Together

Kirklees Council has worked with health and other partners to ensure patients can return home sooner after a stay in hospital.

Investment in care

Investment by the Kirklees Health and Care Partnership will see £400,000 used for recovery beds in 2024/25 at Moorlands Grange in Netherton.  This is one of two council-run care facilities where patients, who are medically ready for discharge but are unable to return home due to their acuity, will receive additional, short-term care to support their recovery before they can go home. 

Moorlands Grange will provide up to 40 recovery beds to support the wider health and care system, relieving pressures on hospitals through dedicated care staff and wrap around therapy, nursing, medical and social work input to support patient outcomes to maximise independence.

Supporting recovery at home

£1m will be invested in reablement services that will help people to retain or regain their skills and confidence so they can learn to manage again after a period of illness.  Reablement services currently support more than 120 patient referrals a month but with the recurrent funding, up to an additional 60 patients per month will be supported by February 2024. The investment will mean people can recover with short term care and support at home to maximise independence, therefore preventing another hospital admission. 

Additional funds will support timely transport and follow-up at home, including carer support, alongside introduction of a Trusted Assessor role to work jointly with people, their families, hospital discharge teams and care homes in finding the best placements for those requiring longer term care.

Councillor Jackie Ramsay, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said:

“I am absolutely delighted with the news that we can continue to enable patients to be discharged from hospital in a safe and timely manner.  The funding will greatly help to reduce the pressure on our acute trusts in the run up to the winter period and is also a positive nod to our fantastic staff at Moorlands Grange who provide such high-quality care for patients after a stay in hospital.

“Enabling residents to live independently via our Home First approach is one of our key priorities so the additional funding for reablement services is wonderful news as residents can receive care in the comfort of their own home.”

We will now work with Locala Health and Wellbeing to provide additional care for patients after a hospital stay.

Karen Jackson, Locala’s Chief Executive Officer, said:

“This is another great example of organisations working together to improve the lives of people in Kirklees who need additional care and support. This programme will help boost our existing work with our partners at Moorlands Grange and in our communities, ensuring more people can be cared for in their own homes rather than having to spend additional time in hospital.”

Mark Hindmarsh, Director of Integration and Strategy for Kirklees Health and Care Partnership said:

“We too are delighted to have worked with partners and agreed a collaborative solution which not only helps our hospital and local system but better improves outcomes and experiences for people requiring support on discharge from hospital”.