The NHS and three voluntary sector organisations are boosting their partnership to support people in London this winter.

This follows the success of last year’s collaboration which directly supported over 8,000 patients across the country.

Whilst the NHS and voluntary sector maintain a close partnership all year round, this is increased during the winter months to support patients’ recovery in their own home.

In London Age UK, British Red Cross and St John Ambulance are using a share of £296,905 from NHS England and NHS Improvement to help care for patients who are both in and out of hospital.

The providers are running nine schemes across the city, all of which have been chosen to help support the needs of the local communities.

The British Red Cross are offering assisted discharge services in six hospital trusts across the city including: King’s College Hospital, Royal Free London, Croydon Health Services, North Middlesex University Hospital, and Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust.

This support service offers transport for patients leaving hospital and ensures they have everything they need to settle back in at home.

Sidony Holdsworth, Operations Manager for British Red Cross in London, said:

“With some services scaling up, and some new, our teams have the benefit of time to support people to regain their independence following a hospital stay and make sure their discharge is the best it can be for that individual.”

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said:

“By complementing the essential role of healthcare professionals, voluntary organisations can help bring the idea of whole-person care to life.

“By providing early support we can prevent older people needing more intensive treatment and care, whether that’s by avoiding a hospital admission or by getting them home earlier through putting good support in place.”

In Westminster, St John Ambulance have been providing ARCs (Alcohol Reception Centres) on Friday and Saturday nights.

The ‘Soho Angels’ prevent trips to A&E by providing medical help and support to help people in London ‘end their night right’.

Adam Williams, National Head of Community Response at St John Ambulance, said:

“St John Ambulance is proud to provide support in communities across the country throughout the year.

“We always support the NHS during seasonal peaks and troughs and lend our CQC approved services, fleet and highly trained people when needed.”

Sir David Sloman, Regional Director for the NHS in London said: 

“The winter months can take their toll on many of us, especially older people and those with long-term conditions, where even the common cold can trigger a hospital stay. For the NHS, it’s the busiest time of the year.

“Voluntary services are hugely important to both the patients and efficiency of the NHS, and I am very grateful to them for supporting the fantastic work of NHS staff across the capital by helping people stay well and recover from illness.”

It’s expected that the schemes will help nearly 1,000 people in London this winter, although given last year’s success this number could be much higher than originally planned.