Supporting Norwich Healthcare: The Role of Home Care This Winter
Learn how Home Instead Norwich can help reduce winter pressures on local hospitals with proactive home care services, hospital discharge support and community awareness.
At this time of year, our team at Home Instead Norwich is always mindful of the added strain on our local healthcare services. Seasonal illnesses and challenging winter weather often lead to more hospital admissions, making the smooth and timely discharge of patients a key priority.
Each year, the colder months bring a rise in hospital admissions due to illnesses such as flu and respiratory infections. This influx can stretch resources to their limits, with national reports often highlighting how NHS bed occupancy exceeds safe levels during winter. These pressures make it even more vital to keep patients moving safely and swiftly through the healthcare system.
The challenge of delayed discharges in Norwich
When patients are well enough to leave the hospital but cannot go home due to a lack of appropriate care, it’s known as “bed blocking.” These delays mean fewer beds are available for new patients, putting further pressure on an already busy system.
A striking example of this challenge was highlighted last winter in a news story in Norfolk, where a man was unable to leave the hospital for three months despite being medically fit to discharge. The delay, caused by the lack of appropriate care available at home, not only impacted his recovery but also occupied a hospital bed that could have supported someone in urgent need. Cases like these illustrate the value of having robust home care services in place to support timely hospital discharges.
How Home Instead Norwich is making a difference
At Home Instead Norwich, we can offer private local home care that helps people leave hospital safely and recover in the comfort of their own homes. Our support also reduces the likelihood of readmissions, keeping hospital beds free for those who need them most
Here’s how we can help:
- Preventing hospitalisation: By supporting individuals to stay well at home, we help reduce the likelihood of hospital admissions.
- Post-hospital care: We can provide tailored care for clients returning home after a hospital stay, ensuring their needs are met and their recovery supported. We can work alongside local physios, hospital teams and district nurses.
- Individualised care plans: We work closely with clients and their families to listen and create care at home plans that are tailored to you and your needs.
Raising awareness in our local community in Norwich
Community awareness is a big part of keeping people healthy and safe at home. That’s why we offer free educational talks to local groups and organisations across Norwich, we are often out and about in the community, visiting church groups, libraries and public spaces as well as hosting talks at our Norwich office. These sessions include practical advice on:
– Preventing hospital admissions: Tips on staying well at home, spotting early signs of illness, and taking action to avoid health crises.
– Understanding dementia: Raising awareness of how to recognise and support people living with dementia.
– Avoiding scams: Helping vulnerable individuals and their families identify and steer clear of common fraud schemes.
If you’re part of a group or organisation that would benefit from one of our awareness talks, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch to arrange a session.
If you’d like to learn more about our home care services, attend our companionship cafes, or arrange an awareness talk, contact our friendly and professional team at Home Instead Norwich today. To learn more about our home care services call us on 01603 963317 or for local job opportunities, take the first step to a rewarding career and apply online.