A SCHEME to support patients, free up hospital beds and lower re-admission rates was launched in Hambleton and Richmondshire yesterday.

The Red Cross Home from Hospital Service aims to provide practical help and emotional support for people who are leaving hospital to return to an empty home.

A team of 11 volunteers, based at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, will support patients, telephoning and visiting them for up to six weeks to make sure they are coping with all aspects of daily living, helping them to regain their independence and rebuild their confidence.

The volunteers may also help with essential shopping, collecting prescriptions and helping readjust to life at home.

The scheme is designed to work alongside any help that social and community health workers may provide.

Volunteers, patients and co-ordinators were at the Friarage yesterday to launch the scheme, which is a partnership between the British Red Cross and the hospital.

Ian Temple, operations director for the British Red Cross in Yorkshire, said: "The scheme frees up beds so that more people can go through the hospital. It focuses on people that might be at greatest risk of something happening that would cause them to be re-admitted to hospital. With a bit of luck, it will reduce readmission rates.

"We are very proud of the service and I think it is one that is going to expand. It is not just a question of hospitals trying to get people out of beds, it is about making sure we look after people when they are going out and where there might be some kind of risk to them.

"There are obvious benefits to the hospital and benefits to the community as well."

There are 60 similar schemes at hospitals around the UK, including one at Harrogate District Hospital.

Maggie Booth, Red Cross service manager responsible for Home from Hospital Services across Yorkshire, said: "A couple of visits from a volunteer in those first few weeks can often make all the difference to someone's confidence and enable them to remain independent in their own home."

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact the British Red Cross in Northallerton on (01609) 772186.