The charities will commence the service provision providing up to six weeks personalised/home-based support for older people and vulnerable adults following a stay in hospital anywhere inWest Sussex. The service will include contact with the customer following referral with an assessment being undertaken within 2 working days of the person returning home; help with the organisation of transport to return home and a support plan implemented through careful matching with a local volunteer who will be able to offer practical and emotional support with signposting to other services where needed.
Bill Demel, Guild Care Operations Director in the Community said ‘Guild Care is delighted to be working in partnership with our Age UK colleagues to provide this much needed countywide service’’ and Janice Leeming, CEO from Age UK Horsham District added ‘we are delighted that the partnership has been awarded this contract. With our combined local knowledge we will be able to provide a first rate service for local residents’.
Lynda Ryan, Head of Community Services, Age UK West Sussex, confirmed that this exciting project being provided in a partnership will give local people returning from a hospital stay with valuable support.
West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing Christine Field said: ‘This service is vital in helping our more vulnerable residents to come home from hospital and be reassured that there is help to settle them back in to their homes and support them to regain their independent way of life. The County Council is delighted to be working with Age UK West Sussex, Age UK Horsham District and Guild Care and I look forward to seeing this service develop.’
The service will be delivered across the county from 1 December 2013 with:
