A new 20 bed intermediate care unit, helping patients regain their independence before they return home, has officially opened in Bolton.
Bolton Council will be running this care service as an extension to their existing Intermediate Care services from the Dove House Unit, which is currently vacant at Mill View Care Home in Great Lever.
The service will support people home from hospital who may require a further period of assessment of their care needs, in a more suitable environment than waiting in hospital unnecessarily.
It is hoped this will enable more people to be supported to return home rather than moving into long term residential care.
The unit will also offer a service as an alternative to hospital admission where someone may need additional care for a short period of time to enable them to return home.
Cllr Sean Fielding, Bolton Council's Executive Member for Adults and Housing, said:
“It is great to see this service officially open as we know that intermediate care has a massive impact on people’s recovery and helps them to regain independence and confidence.
“Dove House will help people return to and remain living in their own home for longer, which is important at this time given the demands on our care home services.
“This is all about improving the care for local people and providing them with the best possible outcomes and experiences while they need support and assistance.”
Rachel Tanner, Director of Adult Services (DASS), Communities & Integration for Bolton Council said:
“A huge amount of work has gone into opening Dove House – not only by council staff but also our partners across Bolton, especially the support from Advinia Health Care – and I would like to thank all those involved.
“Dove House is testing a new medical model to reduce the number of readmissions to hospital to provide better outcomes for the people of Bolton.
“It is essential that we develop a high-quality rehabilitative service which best uses the resources we have available, and which prevents or delays admissions into long term residential care.”