Hospital beds are set to be freed up more quickly this winter with the opening of a new care service, which is designed to support more people to return home rather than going into residential care.

A new unit with 20 beds is opening in Mill View Care Home, where people can be treated rather than waiting in a hospital.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “Bolton Council in collaboration with the NHS have approved a new scheme that will be launched before Christmas supporting people home from hospital who may require a further period of assessment of their care needs in a more suitable environment than waiting in hospital.

“It is hoped this will enable more people to be supported to return home rather than moving into long term residential care, helping them live well at home for as long as possible.

“It will also offer a service as an alternative to hospital admission where someone may need a little more care for a short period of time.

“The council will be running this care service as an extension to their existing Intermediate Care services from the Dove House unit which is currently vacant at Mill View Care Home, operated by Advinia Healthcare.

READ MORE: Bolton Council faces £7.4M funding gap, Unison finds

READ MORE: Report reveals overspend on child services by Bolton Council

READ MORE: Bolton's council tax RISE and cuts set in stone after approval

“This proposed delivery model and pilot has been developed in collaboration with our partners in the NHS Bolton Foundation Trust and NHS Greater Manchester ICB and is a genuine example of integrated working between health and social care.”

Older people are often delayed from leaving hospital due to complex needs, but spending too much time in hospital can be detrimental to their health.

According to Lottie, an organisation that helps UK residents find the best home, it can put them at increased risk of losing their strength and mobility or developing an infection.

A council report said services are treating people with “greater levels of need and complexity” as a result of delayed health care, isolation and increased infections due to the pandemic.