AN urgent appeal is being made to find hotel rooms to house patients recovering during the pandemic.

Worcestershire County Council needs a total of 300 rooms and 150 have already been found and booked.

But 150 rooms are still needed for people who can leave hospital, but need assessment for social care. The authority say the rooms will provide a safe place to recuperate and personal care will be arranged if needed.

Hotels should have 20 rooms minimum which are en-suite, and be able to provide services such as housekeeping and laundry.

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Those using the rooms are not expected to need nursing care and are predicted to need to stay for around five to 10 days. Breakfast and evening meals will be provided.

Any hotels wishing to offer rooms will need to provide a laundry service, housekeeping service, catering where possible and have a lift if the rooms are over more than one floor. The council says it is willing to block book rooms for up to three months for the service.

Worcestershire County Council has already signed an agreement with three hotels in the county; Stourport Manor, The Elms at Abberley and Cadmore Lakeside, to help during this period.

Councillor Karen May, cabinet member with responsibility for transformation and commissioning at Worcestershire County Council said: “We are appealing for any hotel with 20 rooms or over to get in touch with us, if they are able to offer their bedrooms to recovering patients.

"We are grateful to three hotels who have already agreed to work with us to provide much needed services for those leaving hospital but not yet ready to go home.

"Our priority remains keeping Worcestershire residents safe and providing social care to those who need support and help."

Nick Ferguson, from of Cadmore Lakeside hotel said: “I discussed with my staff team how we could best assist with the current crisis, helping our wonderful NHS to clear beds was the obvious way we could help. Everyone needs to think how they can contribute in any way possible”

Hotel owners who can help are asked to contact the council through its Here2help page, worcestershire.gov.uk/here2help, and register using the 'Tell us how you can help' button.