DOCTORS are to be offered extra payments to make more care home visits in a bid to cut hospital admissions.

Health managers have agreed a £3.3 million, three-year programme aimed at saving £245,286 through reductions in A&E admissions and ambulance journeys.

The deal includes an initial assessment of new residents, medication reviews, planning for future care needs, a weekly visit for those in need and flu vaccinations.

It is the latest bid by NHS leaders to reduce pressure on county hospitals, where rising demand – partly from an ageing population – has put a strain on waiting times.

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Common problems that lead to admissions managers want to avoid include urinary tract infections, pneumonia and falls.

An NHS report said homes with no arrangements for regular GP visits have a service which is “usually reactive with GP input only when there is a crisis”.

It said: “The rationale for this is that the best opportunity for individualised care planning and patient management derives from a level of trust and mutual understanding between care home staff, patient and GP.”

In the 12 months from April 2013 there were 2,482 A&E attendances, 2,196 un-planned hospital admissions and 2,530 ambulance emergency calls from the county’s 108 homes.

The report said the same project cut emergency admissions by nine per cent in Yorkshire and Humber and admissions to Bath’s Royal United Hospital by 40 per cent.

Dr Paul Roblin, chief executive of the British Medical Association’s Oxordshire local medical committee, which represents GPs, said: “It is up to the practice whether the financial reward is worth the extra effort.

“It is marginal but some may well go for it. I think more will go for it than not.”

Oxfordshire Care Homes Association chairman George Tuthill said: “On the whole, it is a good idea to get more support into care homes with GPs.”

Yet he said a demand of the scheme that at least 70 per cent of patients at each home must be registered with one GP practice could cause problems.

Deputy chief executive of Age UK Oxfordshire Penny Thewlis welcomed the move as she said OAPs prefer to stay in “familiar and comfortable surroundings”.

THE PROPOSALS

  • Face-to-face assessment for new residents within two weeks of arriving
  • Medication review for new residents after three months and then every six months
  • Care plan agreed within four weeks of arrival
  • GPs called prior to any possible admission to hospital
  • Weekly scheduled visit for all residents who need a review
  • Six-monthly meetings between practice and care home staff.

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