A new service that helps people regain their independence after a hospital stay is after people considering a career in care.

Wiltshire Council is putting out a call for its Support At Home scheme giving short to mid-term care to people needing additional support when they leave hospital - it also works with NHS Rapid Response to help prevent unnecessary admissions. The service helps free up hospital beds, which are under pressure this winter.

Staff, who will undergo training and mentoring, help people with personal care, food preparation and daily living. The service is jointly funded with B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

Cabinet member for adult social care Jane Davie said: “People are grateful for hospital treatment, of course, but once you’re starting to feel better you really want to move on, get home and back to everyday life. Wiltshire Support at Home means you can go home knowing you won’t be left on your own as there will be support available to help you adjust as you get back to your routines. As our hospitals face increasing pressures for beds this service is going to be needed even more. So, we are putting a call out for people to consider joining our team and helping make a real positive impact in someone’s life.”

The scheme has already been piloted in a number of areas in Wiltshire with good results and people who have benefitted from the care have said it has helped them to get back to normal routines after their hospital stay.

It helps services already provided by health partners and Wiltshire Council Adult Social Care that ensure people can remain in their own homes rather than be admitted to hospital.

Gill May,The CCG's director of nursing and quality, said: “While it is absolutely right that people who are acutely unwell should be cared for on a ward, spending more time than necessary in hospital, especially when a doctor has said the patient is well enough to go home, can ultimately have a negative effect on recovery.

“Prolonged hospital stays can lead to preventable health issues, such as muscle loss and pressure sores, which is why this new initiative that will support people to continue their recovery at home is so important.”

Staff will work alongside the Wiltshire Council reablement service which also provides support in people’s homes with specially trained social care staff, including occupational therapists and reablement support workers. The service is available to adults who normally live independently at home, but who might have lost physical ability or confidence in carrying out their day to day living tasks.

To find out more about the roles available in the new service anyone interested can contact recruitment@wiltshire.gov.uk for details.