A NEW service bringing medical care to the doorsteps of people in Oxfordshire has been launched by the county's NHS trusts.

The Home Assessment Reablement Team (HART) was launched at the start of October and encompasses 200 doctors, nurses and other health professionals.

It will offer a period of care and support to patients, especially older people, whose needs are stable enough for them to stay at home after a minor accident or illness.

Assistant assessor Gareth Bowden said: "It's a short-term programme for about six weeks but hopefully we can help people go independent before then.

"Anyone who is medically fit can use HART, so mainly elderly patients who need help with daily tasks like washing, dressing and meal preparation."

The service will be run by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and incorporates the trust's former supported hospital discharge service and the Oxfordshire Reablement Service, which was run by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Paul Brennan, OUH's director of clinical services, said: "The beauty of HART is that it will be run as a single responsive service, with a single multidisciplinary team, a simple referral process and a single pathway.

"We've reassured patients that the care they receive and their re-ablement goals will remain under the new service.

"Evidence shows that many patients, in particular frail older people, have a better experience and better outcomes when an inpatient stay is avoided."

People referred to HART will be supported in their homes for a period of up to six weeks as well as their family and formal carers.

The service was jointly commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

It forms part of a broader plan for county services to provide stronger ambulatory care with a view to freeing up hospital beds.

Earlier this year bed-blocking in the county fell to a six-year low following concerted efforts by OUH and other providers to stop unnecessary long stays in hospital.

In June there were just 57 patients facing a delayed transfer of care. At the time Mr Brennan told the Oxford Mail the aim was to "go even lower".

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for adult social care, said: “I am delighted to see the start of a new service that will help people improve their independence and live well in the community.

"This service has been jointly designed and commissioned and shows the strength and value of health and social care working together.”

Referrals can be made to the HART service by e-mailing orh-tr.hart@nhs.net or by phoning (01865) 572917.

For more information visit http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/hart