NHS introduce new measures to reduce hospital admissions

GP opening hours have been extended at surgeries in North Kirklees as part of plans to treat more patients outside hospitals.

A pilot scheme to open at weekends was launched by Curo Health, a federation of 29 GP practices. An evaluation report on how successful the pilot has been is expected next month.

A scheme was also set up to improve the care of people aged over 75 deemed to be most at risk of being hospitalised.

The North Kirklees Care Co-ordination Service started in July and has seen 125 patients so far, according to a report to a council health watchdog.

The report by Kirklees and Wakefield Joint Health Scrutiny Committee said: “This is a planned 12 week programme to enable people to better understand and stay in control of their condition to reduce the risk of deterioration.

“This is a pilot scheme until the end of May 2016 and will be evaluated at the end of the pilot.”

The changes are being made to reduce A&E attendances and hospital admissions as part of a re-organisation of services at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust.

The report said more funding had been provided for the Hospital Avoidance Team.

Care packages are provided for people referred for help after they are discharged from hospital.

The team helped avoid 182 hospital admissions last year.

The report said: “The focus is on assessing a person’s ongoing health and social care needs and working through the options for longer term health or social care support, in partnership with the referrer and other relevant health and social care staff. “