A FACILITY aimed at building bridges between hospitals and residential care homes has officially opened in Barry.

The new reablement unit, based at the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Ty Dyfan residential home, provides six short term ‘intermediate care beds’ for people who are ready to be discharged from hospital but who require therapy or support before they can return home.

Leah Manley, the unit’s first resident when it opened at the end of 2016, took centre stage to cut the ribbon and declare the unit open.

She was supported at the unit after being admitted to hospital following a fall.

After completing a bespoke reablement programme she was able to return home to care for her husband and continue to live independently.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board chairwoman, Maria Battle also opened the unit with Vale council cabinet member for housing, social care and health, cllr Bronwen Brooks.

Funded through the Intermediate Care Fund, support on the unit is provided by a multidisciplinary team that consists of the Vale council’s care staff and Cardiff and Vale UHB’s community resource service therapists.

Cllr Brooks said: “Our aim is to provide a bridge between hospital discharge and home for those people who require a little extra time in a supportive environment so as to regain their independence.

“The council’s in-house care team are here 24/7 to support residents and help get them home as soon as possible. Following an assessment they work with the resident to develop a reablement programme and then closely with the therapists to deliver this.

“By successfully providing a reablement facility we are now working effectively to tackle the issue of bed blocking that is proving so problematic across Wales.”

Residents at the reablement unit receive daily physio and occupational therapy sessions as well as health promotion talks.

Ms Battle said: “This reablement unit is a welcome facility in the Vale of Glamorgan which will help get people back home and into the local community much more quickly. Being involved in their individual therapeutic plans and being supported, will not only increase their independence but also their confidence and wellbeing. This also means we can free up hospital beds so that we can care for more people and keep them well.”