A PIONEERING scheme to reduce long spells in hospital for the town's elderly residents is being launched in Droitwich Spa.
The Hospital at Home project should be up and running by January and will initially be a bonus for older members of the community facing a hospital stay.
It aims to reduce the time patients spend on wards by making a variety of aftercare services available at home.
Wychavon Primary Care Group (WPCG) is leading the trial.
It will provide services often carried out by community hospitals - a facility Droitwich does not have.
The scheme centres on support teams delivering care to patients in their own home.
It will benefit stable patients who can be given drugs or treatment in a relaxed environment.
Dr Anthony Kelly, of Spa Medical Practice, in Ombersley Street East, is WPCG chairman.
He said: "This is a service residents have requested for many years in conjunction with trying to make all NHS services available locally.
"It's a desire to deliver more appropriate and efficient care in the community rather than hospital. The scheme is still in its infancy but I believe it's a positive step forward."
New staff will need to be appointed.
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