A TEAM of health workers which ensures that elderly patients are given ongoing support when they are discharged from hospital is set to be expanded.

The Winter Warm Campaign currently supports patients on 12 wards at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT), on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but plans are now in place to increase this.

It comes after serious operational problems at the Royal Blackburn Hospital at the start of January, when dozens of delayed discharges meant waiting times of up to 11 hours in emergency.

The service is run by Help Direct, which has been created by ELHT in partnership with local councils, and operates from December to March.

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The staff spend time talking with patients and families to make sure they have the appropriate community help and support available before they leave hospital, and put together support plans to cover any further needs they may have.

Kathy Bonney, adult safeguarding lead, said: “Most patients look forward to being discharged from hospital, but for some older and more vulnerable people, it can be a daunting prospect.

“When people lack the support network provided by close family and friends, the Winter Warm Team is on hand to provide that extra support necessary to ensure a patient remains safe when they return home.”

The service was first launched last winter and is also available to relatives and carers, who may also need advice and guidance around issues such as benefit changes, becoming the main carer, and the need to move property due to illness in the family.

Among the many requests the team has responded to have been room alterations to meet patient needs and referrals for domestic support.

personal care, companionship and advice about energy efficiency.

Craig Pollard, of Help Direct, said: “There’s lots we can do to support people.”

in and out of hospital to ensure their long-term wellbeing.”