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Press Release

Voluntary sector 'can help bridge gap between hospital and home' Red Cross tells commissioners

2 September 2011

Healthcare managers are being urged to consider the benefits offered by the voluntary sector when commissioning services.

The British Red Cross, which this month launches its new Health and Social Care services brochure, is calling on commissioners to remember the importance of the third sector in delivering care.

The charity, which is seeking to provide more health and social care services across the country, is also stressing the importance of services which support patients as they readjust to living independently after illness.

Liz Urben, the British Red Cross' head of health and social care, said: “The UK is currently facing a crisis in social care, making the decisions commissioners now face even more difficult and even more important.

“The British Red Cross believes more tailored, short-term services that support people to live in their own homes are urgently needed.

“As well as improving patients' lives, these services, which are often volunteer-delivered, could save the NHS money by preventing needless admissions and readmissions to hospitals.”

The British Red Cross already has more than 30 years' experience in providing health and social care programmes, and last year reached more than 175,000 people.

The charity currently has 200 health and social care contracts across the UK, which are delivered by fully trained volunteers and staff.

The launch of the new Health and Social Care services guide (How we can help: A guide for health and social care commissioners and providers) is designed to highlight to commissioners the wide range of services the British Red Cross offers, from Home from Hospital services to medical equipment loans.

Ms Urben added: “Voluntary sector organisations like the British Red Cross are ideally placed to ease the transition from hospital to home.

“We are able to engage with some of the hardest to reach groups, build their confidence and resilience, aid their recovery and reduce their isolation.”

For more information on British Red Cross health and social care services visit http://www.redcross.org.uk/carecontacts



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