A PROJECT that helps older people stay independent at home and leave hospital more quickly has been extended into this autumn at the Royal Gwent.

And another that speeds up assessments of elderly and frail patients in emergency and assessment units at the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall Hospitals - also with speedier discharge the aim - has begun.

The ‘Hospital to Healthier Homes’ winter scheme, ran from 10 Welsh hospitals, including the Royal Gwent, to support the safe discharge of vulnerable older people from hospital, focusing on preventing re-admissions by assessing the ‘health’ of patients' homes and enabling improvements to support health and wellbeing.

A dedicated case worker based at each hospital can enable practical adaptations to patients' homes and their discharge from hospital. They also offer practical support and advice on issues such as access to financial support, and can refer patients at risk of isolation or loneliness into local community clubs or groups.

More than 600 people were referred from mid-January to March 31, with 628 home improvements and 320 means tested benefit assessments ensuing. The scheme has been extended to September, with £370,000 extra funding.

Meanwhile the health and social care project Homefirst aims to transform the way patients are assessed when they first arrive at the 'front door' of the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall Hospitals.

For many elderly and frail people, admission is inevitable when they are taken to emergency departments or assessment units, and returning home can be difficult, especially if those stays are extended.

Homefirst sees Gwent councils working with medical staff at the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall to support those who are admitted to go home quickly.

Instead of each council sending its own care assessor to evaluate a patients' needs, a team of assessors works across all councils. They can decide whether a patient is fit for discharge and what supporting care package is needed.

They can start new packages of care or re-activate existing ones; they can offer advice on discharge or refer to community services like Community Connectors or frailty teams. They work collaboratively with clinicians and help cut admissions made for social, rather than medical reasons.