A SCHEME which helps vulnerable people returning home from a hospital stay is proving a huge success.

The project has handled more than 1,000 referrals in just two years and has helped slash hospital readmissions.

Among those who have benefited from the Home from Hospital (HfH) initiative are Keighley couple Geoffrey and Rose Harrison.

Mr Harrison, 84, who has dementia, spent six days in Airedale Hospital with a urine infection.

His wife said the extra help provided when he arrived home was hugely reassuring for them both.

"The co-ordinator was so easy to talk to and really helped me with all sorts of things," said Mrs Harrison, 83.

"She put me in touch with a lot of organisations and places where myself and Geoffrey can go together, such as the My Memories and Me group – where we meet other couples – and the Keighley Wellbeing Cafe, where we have lunch and entertainment.

"Life isn't easy as you get older and just having someone to talk to and to suggest new things we can do means such a lot to us. You can easily lose touch with what's going on.

"She was also very relaxed and easy going, which helped me feel a lot better.

"I would definitely recommend the Home from Hospital service to other people as it has helped us more than we expected."

The HfH co-ordinator also helped the couple obtain a council tax reduction due to Mr Harrison's dementia.

HfH – based at the Carers' Resource – caters for patients across Airedale, Wharfedale and Bradford.

Shelley Marshall, the scheme's manager, said: "Nurses, therapists and social workers are key to identifying patients who may be at risk of readmission, or who may be anxious about returning home.

"Often the patients are people who don't qualify for social care but do have additional needs which could affect their health, wellbeing or ability to remain independent.

"Our friendly team of staff and volunteers offers a wide variety of assistance including practical and emotional support, confidence building, setting up telephone shopping, help to access benefits and assisting with health appointments, as well as discussing longer-term needs such as befriending and getting out and about again.

"We also liaise with pharmacists about clients' medication and help people apply for a blue badge, Safe and Sound pendant and the Access Bus."

She added: "Going home after a stay in hospital can have a big effect on people's wellbeing and their confidence and we find that our short-term support – even if it's just a visit to check on how they're doing and some encouragement to take up activities – can have a huge impact on helping people recover, stay well and stay out of hospital."

Call 01274 531377 for more details.