The South Eastern HSC Trust launched a consultation this week on the future provision of intermediate care across North Down and Ards.
Intermediate care provides a valuable service to people who need a period of recovery and rehabilitation after a spell of acute illness or trauma. These inpatient beds are mainly used by patients after they have had a stay in an acute hospital, but are not quite ready to go home. In reviewing the model, the Trust has sought to ensure there is a balance between intermediate care, acute care and care provided at home.
The Trust has completed an Option Appraisal to determine how to best provide Intermediate Care Services in the North Down and Ards area. Of the nine options, the preferred option is Option6A – providing up to 105 intermediate care beds, These include:
* 29 Consultant led fracture rehabilitation beds * 22 Independent Provider Beds with GP Medical support * 20 Consultant led beds in Ards Hospital * 14 Beds in Northfield House with GP GMS Medical Support. * Up to 20 additional spot purchased beds on a temporary basis when demand requires.
This option offers the highest non- financial benefits and the greatest savings of any of the ‘do something’ options
The Trust has embarked on a process of formal consultation with service users, interested parties and the general public to ensure that this document is consulted upon as widely and openly as possible. The consultation process commenced on 28 January 2015 and will run until 29 April 2015.
Comments made during the consultation process will be considered carefully and feedback will be provided.
The Trust will also be hosting public meetings in Bangor, Kircubbin, and Newtownards as follows:
*  Alderman George Green Hall, 1 Rathgill Parade, Bangor Tuesday 3 March – 7.00pm *  Kircubbin Community Centre, Church Grove, Kircubbin Tuesday 10 March – 7.00pm *  McWhinney Hall, Ards Hospital, Newtownards Wednesday 11 March – 3.00pm
A copy of the proposal and information on the consultation process is available on the Trust website: Â www.setrust.hscni.net
For further information, or should you wish to register your attendance at a public meeting, please contact Elaine Campbell, Corporate Planning and Consultation Manager, on telephone 028 9055 0434, textphone 028 9151 0137 or email: consultation@setrust.hscni.net
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