NHS gets cash injection to provide post-hospital care

The health secretary has announced that 70 million pounds is to be allocated to the NHS to provide support for patients returning home after being hospitalised.

Andrew Lansley gave estimates that 35,000 people could benefit from the new initiative, which will see those leaving hospital following injury or illness offered various means of support for six weeks.

Via these "re-ablement" packages, patients will be provided with daily visits or assisted in making changes to their domestic environments, in order to help them settle back into home life gradually.

Implementation of the scheme will be handled by primary care trusts, hospitals and local authorities and will tie in with the NHS' new responsibilities for patient health in the first 30 days after hospital discharge.

Mr Lansley said: "Services of this kind have shown dramatic benefits in supporting people and cutting readmission to hospital. Our objective is for people to be once again independent in their own homes."

The health secretary also announced this week that the NHS is to be given more responsibility for tracking hospital infections in the coming months.