The centre, which is run by East Sussex County Council Social Services and Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust (PCT), provides intensive rehabilitation support for older people experiencing difficulties living at home.
While at the centre, older people are supported by health and social care professionals through a tailored programme of exercise sessions that help build enough stamina and confidence for them to carry out the skills needed to live independently at home.
Patients, who stay in one of 21 en-suite rooms for up to six weeks, have access to a gym where special equipment gives them practice at tasks like climbing stairs and improving balance. Even the kitchen is equipped with tools designed to help build people’s ability and confidence in everyday skills like opening cans, cooking and preparing hot drinks.
Firwood House is part of a county-wide drive to jointly provide health and social care to older people. Through such intermediate care centres help can be given to older people who no longer need hospital care, but are not ready to return home – helping to tackle the problem of delayed discharge.
Firwood House will be able to provide support to people who are experiencing difficulties at home before they ever need to be admitted to hospital which could help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.
Councillor Joy Waite, East Sussex County Council’s new Lead Member for Social Services, said: "Firwood House is an exciting development in the way we help the county’s older people. It is vital that we continue to work with our partners in health to put our resources into intermediate care like this so that older people are able to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”
Mary Colato, Chair of Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust, said: "It is globally recognised that patients benefit greatly from early rehabilitation and preferably that which prevents admission. I am delighted, therefore, that Firwood House provides an excellent opportunity to offer first class modern services to support older people. Together with Social Services, Eastbourne Downs PCT will lead the way in intermediate care.”
Firwood House has undergone major refurbishments, partly funded by the Department of Health, in order to make the changes needed to provide effective, modern rehabilitation services.
In addition to the residential service, Firwood Rehabilitation Unit, a day service for older people who need short term rehabilitation support, is based at the site. The centre also houses the Community Rehabilitation Services, the Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team, Community Physiotherapy and the Dysphasia Association.
During Tuesday’s ceremony local residents, community leaders and representatives from the County Council, PCT, and voluntary organisations will meet some of the patients currently staying at Firwood House.
Notes to editors
- To obtain photographs and case studies of some of the older people receiving support at Firwood House, please call Heather Partridge, East Sussex County Council on 01273 482627 or Angela Paice, Eastbourne Downs PCT on 01323 747710
Reference:
04/168/HP
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