NHS to pay people up to £1,000 a month to house post-op patients
Airbnb-style scheme to rent spare rooms and ease bed blocking raises alarm over safeguarding, governance and abuse
Patients recovering from surgery could be discharged from hospital to recuperate in private houses nearby as part of a controversial NHS trial that could earn those renting out the rooms up to £1,000 a month.
The scheme, which is being piloted in Essex, aims to ease bedblocking and save money but has been criticised by medical professionals and social workers who warn it would give too much responsibility to untrained members of the public.
A startup, CareRooms, is working with the NHS and councils in Southend and elsewhere in Essex to pilot the model and finalise how it will work. It says patients would benefit from “a safe, comfortable place to recuperate from hospital” as well as helping the NHS.
Hosts would be asked to welcome patients recovering minor procedures, cook three microwave meals a day and offer conversation according to Care Homes, in a scheme targeting people who do not have a family able to care for them.
