Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in the UK has awarded contracts to Universal Care Services and Nationwide Care Services to provide short-term care at home services.

Worth £6.9m, the contracts will support approximately 7,900 Solihull residents over the next three years.

They are aimed at helping patients who are being discharged or to prevent hospital admissions.

Universal Care Services offers the Early Response Service, which assists individuals in their homes to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

This service offers up to six weeks of free care, aiding people in restoring their independence after incidents like falls, while also assessing their future care requirements.

Nationwide Care Services provides the Home Discharge Service, which supports individuals upon their discharge from the hospital, enabling them to return home as soon as they are capable.

This service also offers free care for up to six weeks, aiding individuals in their recovery while their long-term care needs are evaluated.

Councillor Tony Dicicco said: “These urgent community response services are good news for Solihull residents and our health partners, as well as for the two local care providers. 

“The services were piloted by Universal Care Services and Nationwide Care Services during the pandemic, as we responded to changing regulations and pressures on the health service, particularly around hospital discharges. 

“Having gone through a competitive tender process, the providers have been awarded the contracts to deliver support the same day the request is made, with dedicated care teams for our residents.”