Nevill Hall Hospital Discharge Scheme was the focus of the Abergavenny Action 50+ Forum’s monthly meeting.

Run by Age Cymru Gwent, the scheme covers all of Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent and manager Sue Brosnan explained that its main purpose is to enable people aged over fifty to remain independent in their own homes.

The team is based in offices within the hospital although the head office is in Newport.

Initially all the referrals came directly from Nevill Hall for patients who were due to leave the hospital. Now the scheme is based on open referrals for those aged 50+ who are suffering from both acute and chronic illness and unable to manage on their own.

People aged over fifty can either refer themselves to the scheme or be referred to the scheme by someone else who feels they need the service.

Support workers can visit people in the privacy of their own home to offer help during their period of illness, such as shopping, light meal preparation and light domestic duties. The service usually runs for one to six weeks.

If someone being discharged from hospital is returning to an empty house, the support workers, with the patient’s permission, can also arrange for the heating to be turned on, some basic shopping to be done and for a drink and a light meal to be made to settle them in.

If someone over fifty feels worried about going home after being discharged from hospital, perhaps because family members are away and unable to check up on them, they can arrange with the team for either a regular phone call or personal visits.

The team offers many additional services including advice on appliances and equipment for the home, assistance with financial assessments and entitlements such as benefit checks, carers allowance, housing applications etc.

There is also a new service to help those who have been ill to re-engage with society. Often this simply means accompanying the person to a community group or club.

The Nevill Hall Discharge Scheme is part of Age Cymru Gwent’s Community Services, which also include Local Links Clubs, providing over fifties with an opportunity to socialise and participate in activities.

There is also a Lunch Club which provides a two-course lunch and activities. For details please ring 01291 673 300.

The next meeting of the Abergavenny Action 50+ Forum is on Wednesday March 8, when the speaker will be Tony Care from Tools of Self Reliance. Anyone wishing to attend will be made most welcome at the Trinity Church Hall on Baker Street at 9.30am for registration, with the main meeting starting at 10am. All enquiries to Delia Hudson on 01873 855944.