Innovation offers social care hope

A new pilot being undertaken by NHS Devon with charity Dartmouth Caring, has been heralded as a possible part of the answer to Britain’s social care worries.

The pilot involves the creation of bridge workers – staff paid for by the charity and the local NHS trust together – who, whilst visiting the elderly, can flag up anyone who is need of treatment before they need to be fully hospitalised.

Dartmouth Caring’s chairman Dee Nutt said: “Dartmouth Caring help provide the link between the health and social services and their clientsthanks to our position within the community.

“This is a role which brings us closer to our partners in the health and social services, and helps them get care to their clients more quickly and effectively.