Heathlands House, which provides residential, dementia, nursing, respite and end-of-life care, was among the first homes to adopt the service in October 2024.
Razvan Stanbeca, manager, says the initiative is making “a massive difference to residents as instead of going to hospital they can get care in their home”.
“Besides looking after residents, the team have helped our team to develop their knowledge and are very confident asking for help and assistance from the doctors.”
On the number of residents being sent to hospital, he says: “In the last six months we have seen a reduction of about 50%.”
The initiative has now expanded to 15 care homes with the highest frequency of hospital admissions in Cambridgeshire, funded by the NHS Central East Integrated Care Board.
CUH says the service could save about £700,000 annually due to hospital inpatient beds being freed up.
Clifford, meanwhile, is continuing to enjoy life and to limit his time in hospital wherever possible.
“Life is exciting as you do not know what is going to happen next, and that in itself doesn’t worry me,” he says.
“I might drop down dead tomorrow but c’est la vie, you have to accept these things.”
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