Scheme which helps Mansfield patients leave hospital to free up beds set to be extended

The ASSIST hospital discharge scheme is funded by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs King’s Mill and Mansfield Community Hospital, and the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group and costs a total of £150,000 per year to run.

A report from council housing operations and safeguarding manager, Christine Fisher, states: “In order to assist the council’s collaborators and work more closely to meet the collective needs of the community, staff have been actively assisting in the discharge process at Kings Mill Hospital.

“There have been many successful outcomes, which have resulted in medically fit people leaving the hospital into more suitable accommodation or with support to meet their needs.

“These interventions by the council have subsequently released hospital beds for those with an urgent medical need.”

Sherwood Forest Hospitals will contribute £240,000 over the next two years, with the CCG adding further £60,000, if the delegated decision is given the go-ahead by portfolio holder for corporate and finance, Councillor Craig Whitby, at a meeting on Friday (April 23).

A recent study carried out by the trust and CCG revealed that the scheme was still needed to free up hospital beds.

A condition for the cash is that it is not used for any other purpose than the ASSIST scheme – and more detailed monitoring of the scheme will be carried out over the next two years.

The plan is recommended for approval.

Editor’s message: In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Ashley Booker, editor.