A POPULAR hospital service has been brought back in-house a month earlier than expected due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

Bosses at the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Harlow today announced the contract for Hospital at Home, which has been run by ORLA Healthcare since 2014, has been terminated.

The contract had been due to expire at the end of September but due to “unforeseen circumstances” the trust has assumed responsibility from today – a month ahead of schedule.

The replacement service will be provided by the trust and be known as Patient at Home.

Trust chief executive Phil Morley said: “This is a challenging and exciting time for the trust and the wider health and social care services, who we are indebted to for their strong support at this time.

“It is a great opportunity to work collaboratively across health and social care services to develop and deliver patient-centred care in the community.”

The service aims to reduce hospital admissions, release bed capacity and to reduce length of stay by offering treatment to patients needing acute care in their own home instead of admission to hospital.

Clinical lead consultant Rishi Prasad said: “Our Patient at Home service will offer similar home-based acute clinical care to patients who would otherwise require hospital admission.

“The service will be provided through acute medical care, led by senior physicians, and be supported by trained nurses and allied health professionals.

“It’s an opportunity to provide personalised care that safely meets the medical needs of patients, which will build upon and improve the patient experience.

“We want to reassure all patients that the trust take full responsibility for the delivery of the service and are excited to take it from strength to strength.”

Read more at http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/princess-alexandra-hospital-in-harlow-terminates-orla-healthcare-contract/story-29597625-detail/story.html#5Qv4olJm6omDUyKm.99