A SCHEME to invest  £325,000 in 12 social care discharge beds at Russell’s Hall Hospital could help Sandwell become the best authority in the country for tackling bed blocking, it has been claimed.

The proposal to buy beds outside of the borough has been approved by the council’s cabinet as part of its plan to deal with winter pressures on the NHS and will run from December to 31 March 2019.

Councillors were told the scheme will be a stepping stone for people who need additional care before returning to their homes or a residential nursing centre.

The contract with Dudley NHS Foundation Trust will free up beds in Sandwell for those needing immediate care at a time when the NHS deals with an increase in patient numbers.

Cllr Ann Shackleton, cabinet member for social care, proposing the scheme at the cabinet meeting, said it was a ‘good news’ story for the borough.

She said: “Although it is good to see that Sandwell is almost at the top of the league tables when it comes to the prevention of delayed transfer of care, which we know it better as bed blocking, we need to improve provision especially when it comes to winter pressures.”

“Unfortunately, not every patient can be discharged straight to their home, some need extra support.”

She explained the 12 extra beds will be located on the Russells Hall Hospital site and paid for with a grant from national government to help councils deal with delayed discharges.

Cllr Steve Eling, leader of the council, adding Sandwell is one of the leading councils in the country for dealing with delayed transfers, said:  “We are already the fourth best performer in the country in relation to social care and dealing with bed blocking.

“I imagine we will be the best performer in the country once we have this facility in but importantly it is what’s best for our residents.”