THE GPs who lead the commissioning of healthcare services in northern, eastern and western Devon are proposing changes to transform the way patients are cared for.

A key part of their proposals is to put more resources into caring for people in their own homes when it is clinically appropriate.

An example of how this type of treatment is when Exmouth resident Mr Dingle, who is in his 80s, hit his head on the garage door. At the time he and his wife didn’t think any more of it but a few weeks later he became unwell and had to be rushed into hospital. He was suffering from a blood clot under the skull.

Mr Dingle received treatment at hospital for his injury. He was very keen to get back to his own home and get back to full health but the injury meant he had initially lost his speech and was very unsteady on his feet.

Mrs Dingle said “We were told about hospital at home and really wanted to give it a go. My husband didn’t like the thought of having to be in hospital any longer than necessary but I knew we would need support at least in the first few weeks.

Hospital at Home is a where patients received treatment, rehab and care at home from community nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other health and social care workers. Patients are often discharged from hospital much earlier, receiving all the support they need to recover and rehabilitate at home.

Mrs Dingle continues “I was really pleased with the service we received. I was quite concerned that with my husband being less mobile he might fall so it was really important that everything was in place for his return. My worries were soon put to rest when even before my husband had returned home from the hospital the occupational therapist had been round to see what aids we would need. She arranged for lots of different things including an air mattress and chairs to be lifted so he sit down and get up safely.

“During the three weeks my husband received the hospital at home package carers came in a couple times a day to help him wash and shower and we also had visits from a physiotherapist, district nurses and I knew that we could call our GP at any time. We continued to receive additional care for another six weeks whilst he recuperated.

"We were both very pleased with the care my husband received. I'm sure his rehabilitation was swifter and more effective. The carers were lovely and I have nothing but praise for all the people involved. We both felt supported and looked after."

Dr Alison Diamond, Chief Executive said, “Hospital at Home is a successful service provided by the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Devon County Council and the voluntary sector.

"It is not just Exmouth that benefits from this sort of service: our community health and social care teams are supporting 6,000 residents of Devon safely in their own homes and our nurses visit 100 patients every day. We are helping patients avoid hospital admissions and get home to their families sooner.”

Dr Tim Burke GP and Chair of the NEW Devon CCG said “We know that many patients want to be able to return home from hospital as soon as possible but they often need community health services to support them. Our recently announced proposals aim to refocus resources to increase capacity to do just that. We are currently involving and consulting with local people on the proposals and I would encourage people to let us have their feedback. They can do this right up until 12 December 2014 by writing, emailing or coming along to one of the meetings we are holding right across the area. And I can assure people all feedback will be considered before decisions are taken.”

Details of how to feedback on the proposals including date and locations for the meetings can be found at www.newdevonccg.nhs.uk