Dorset doctor wants social care ‘swat teams’ to cut bed-blocking

A senior doctor has called for social care “swat teams” to stop older people getting stuck in hospital.

Dorset GP Richard Jenkinson said admissions and bed-blocking could be cut if home help was offered faster.

Dr Jenkinson, Christchurch chair of the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, said reducing weekly admissions by just 10 would save the NHS £25,000 a week.

Harry Capron, of Dorset County Council, said the swat teams were a “really good idea” which the council was pursuing.

Bed-blocking is the term used when patients who are fit to leave hospital cannot because necessary care arrangements are not in place at home.

Dr Jenkinson said swat teams – which he also called “two carers in a car” – could organise care quickly, preventing unnecessary admissions and helping those in hospital get home as soon as possible.

Mr Capron said the council was improving its “rapid response” social care and was “looking at recruiting additional staff” to offer faster assistance to hospital patients and in the community.