Archways Intermediate Care Unit

From 31 December 2016 services currently delivered from Archways Intermediate Care Unit will be provided through the York Community Response Team.

Wendy Scott, Director of Out of Hospital Care, said: “This decision, made jointly by NHS Vale of York CCG and York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust fully supports our collective ambition to further develop home based intermediate care capacity within the City of York. 

“Developing these services is essential given the predicted growth in the elderly population, as research has shown that we may do harm to older people if we delay their transfer or discharge home after their acute recovery phase is completed. 

“For example, 10 days of bed rest can cause the equivalent of 10 years of muscle ageing in those aged over 80 years.

“This is in addition to a loss of confidence and developing an increased reliance on others whilst in an unfamiliar setting such as a hospital ward.

“By offering assessment and care in a patient’s own home or another suitable setting, we are able to gain a more realistic assessment of their needs in terms of immediate recovery and rehabilitation and their on-going care requirements.

“Patients who would currently be admitted to Archways will in future receive their care and support from the Community Response Team, a widely-skilled team who can provide nursing, therapy and social care assessments, rehabilitation support and treatment.

“This team is already operating successfully in York and will be expanded to accommodate a greater number of patients.

“Other services will also be in place that may offer support, for example outreach pharmacy, Advanced Care Practitioners and the Community Discharge Liaison Service.

“Staff affected by this change will be fully consulted and offered alternative roles.”

17 August 2016