A SERVICE in Sedgefield borough which provides support to older people in times of crisis has been praised.

The Sedgefield Home Assessment and Rehabilitation Partnership (Sharp) is a multi-agency service which has helped many people to remain at home.

The initiative has also helped tackle bed blocking by avoiding inappropriate stays in hospital or residential and nursing homes.

Partners in the project include Durham Social Services, Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, Sedgefield Borough Council and County Durham and Darlington Acute Services Trust.

An evaluation of the scheme carried out by the Postgraduate Institute for Health from the University of Teesside showed there is a real need for Sharp services.

The report says: "Sharp has helped to alleviate problems concerning winter bed blocking in local hospitals and residential homes by providing appropriate health care to older persons.

"Sharp plays a significant role in maximising older people's independence and enhancing their quality of life, especially in regard to those who live alone.

"The services also prevent unnecessary accidents and immobility by providing referred clients necessary equipment and adaptations."

The report also provides a list of recommendations to ensure continued success for Sharp.

These include monitoring and evaluating care provision on an ongoing evidence-based practice approach, and they form part of an action plan.

Sharp service co-ordinator Val Douglas said: "The Sharp team has successfully helped many people to remain at home and we are constantly evaluating and enhancing the services we can offer.

"In the future, assistive technologies will enable clients to be discharged from hospital early or maintain them safely in the community for longer.

"We are participating in the countrywide At Home and In Touch pilot project, using the new wave of fall detectors and monitors to promote independence and reassure clients where loss of confidence is an issue."

Nigel Porter, chief executive of Sedgefield PCT, said: "Sharp was set up three years ago.

"It was always written into the business plan that an external review would be performed to ensure that intermediate care services met national standards.

"This was performed by Teesside University and is being celebrated as a service of best practice which promotes independence and prevents inappropriate admissions to hospitals, nursing and residential care."