Airedale: shortening the stay in hospital
Photo: Airedale NHS Trust

IN the same week the government releases a report on the benefits of treating patients closer to home - one hospital serving a large part of the southern Dales has unveiled a new unit bringing together acute and community care - a move that hospital bosses are calling a real stepping stone to that very recommendation.

Airedale Hospital, near Keighley, launched the unit to provide older patients with specialist rehabilitation care from expert staff to help get them back on their feet and back to their own homes after their treatment.

The unit acts as a step down facility for people who need a further period of specialist rehabilitation before they can go home or to their residential home. Patient's daily routine includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy such as making drinks, and even exercising to music.

The new facility opened two weeks ago and Dr Andrew Catto, Consultant at Airedale NHS Trust explains the new development, a first for the hospital:

"This is a real stepping stone to giving our older patients the care they need closer to home. It is about bringing acute hospital care and community care together to make real improvements for our patients.

"We will have already treated or managed the patients' medical condition so the facility can focus entirely on their particular rehabilitation needs ensuring specialist personalised care 100% of the time."

Patients will stay on average of 1-2 weeks on the unit to regain their independence and confidence before they are able to be discharged home.

they are all absolutely marvellous and have been really looking after me so I can get back home as soon as possible

Joan Laycock - Patient

One of the first patients in the new unit was 75 year old Joan Laycock from Riddlesden. She was admitted to Airedale 3 weeks ago with a broken ankle. She spent 2 weeks on an orthopaedic ward before moving to the unit to complete her physical rehabilitation and returning home.

"The staff here have been A1 - they are all absolutely marvellous and have been really looking after me so I can get back home as soon as possible."

Senior Sister and Unit Manager Fiona Throp explains: "We try and reflect the home as much as we can. What you find is that patients have been in the hospital on wards that are busy where the pace is much faster.

"Here we aim to do things at their pace and give them time to do all the things they need to do for themselves, as they would at home. As a nurse it is very easy to jump in and dress and wash patients but on this unit what we need to do is help patients do it for themselves."