INNOVATIVE thinking is needed more than ever to help our under pressure NHS.

And a prime example of that is the Home From Hospital scheme which supports elderly and vulnerable people after they return home from stays in the district's hospitals.

The service, which is funded by the district’s three Clinical Commissioning Groups, is allowing patients to be discharged earlier from hospital and therefore helping to prevent ‘bed blocking’ occurring where patients well enough to leave hospital simply cannot because they have nowhere suitable to go with the known-on effect that new patients are prevented from being admitted.

Home From Hospital, run by Shipley-based charity The Carers’ Resource, helps patients to adjust to life after hospital with its team providing weekly visits to help with a variety of issues ranging from simple but vital tasks like shopping to expert advice on benefits, for example.

And, according to Dr Nick Hayward, clinical lead for primary care at Bradford Districts CCG, it is also reducing the risks of infection, confusion and reduced mobility for patients who spend longer in hospital than is needed.

The scheme helps former patients to regain their confidence and, in some cases, independence - again helping to reduce the strain on NHS services, as well as on their families and carers.

Simple it might be in principle, but this project is proving that closer collaboration between each tier of our health service is absolutely necessary in providing the care we expect within hard-pressed budgets.

Those behind it deserve our congratulations.