A £770,000 cash boost could help tackle the problem of so-called bed-blockers at GWH.

The money has gone to Swindon Borough Council to help its work with adults who need care.

The cash will go to the authority’s social care teams help them find places for elderly and otherwise vulnerable people in care and nursing homes, in order to free places in hospital beds.

Cabinet member for adults Councillor Brian Ford said: “We are pleased the government has recognised the need for social care funding.

"We are working closely with our colleagues at the Great Western Hospital and Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group on our winter preparations and we will discuss the best use of this funding."

But the councillor warned that the money was limited and would not solve significant problems councils are finding in funding increasing demands for social care.

He said: “It is important to note the funding is for the period up to March 31 and this does not solve the long-term funding pressures in adult social care.”

The government says the grant, part of a £240 million fund announced earlier this month, could be used for home-care packages to help patients get out of hospital quicker.

It will also fund ''reablement packages', which support workers to help patients carry out everyday tasks and regain mobility and confidence or home adaptations, including new facilities for personal care, such as adapting a shower room if a patient has limited movement

The south west region will receive £24,187,892 in funding in total. Swindon’s share comes to just over three per cent.

Health and social care secretary, Matt Hancock said: “I want to help the NHS through this winter.

“I have already provided funding for hospitals to make upgrades to their buildings to deal with pressures this winter, and I am making an extra £240 million available to councils to pay for social care packages this winter to support our NHS.

“We will use this money to help people who don’t need to be in hospital, but do need care, to get back home, into their communities, so we can then free up those vital hospital beds, and help more people get the hospital care they need.”

Swindon has recently been praised for the way it has turned around what was a real problem with patients needing care having to stay in hospital because no place could be found for them.

A scheme where staff from the council, GWH and the CCG meet three times a week to discuss which hospital patients can be discharged has been shortlisted for the prestigious Health Service Journal Awards.

Staff made a presentation to a panel of judges earlier this month and the awards will be announced on November 21.

Since the meetings have begun the number of lost bed days have been slashed.

In January in Swindon fewer than two patients per day were unable to leave for want to a care place. Across the south west that number was 16.8, nearly 10 times as many.

As well as the thrice weekly meetings ore has been invested in reablement services, like home help and devices to make it easier for people to return home from hospital.