MORE carers are needed to help ease pressure on NHS hospitals.

Home Instead Northwich and Knutsford has seen a 'significant' rise in the number of enquiries from families looking for support as they struggle to get their elderly relatives home.

As such, the company is now looking to recruit more home carers, in turn helping out the NHS by freeing up more hospital beds.  

Owner of Home Instead Northwich and Knutsford, Nick Hodgson, said: “At Home Instead we understand the NHS is under a huge amount of pressure.

“Our priority is to support the NHS so that anyone medically fit to leave hospital can do so, and quickly.

“It’s really frustrating as many people are stuck in hospital, well enough to be discharged but not well enough to be totally independent and so they need care to be put in place. That’s where we can step in to help but we need more caring individuals to come forward to work in the sector.

“I’m excited to see what the future holds; working more closely with the NHS and offering support to even more members of the local community.”

Knutsford Guardian: Nick Hodgson, owner of Home Instead Northwich and KnutsfordNick Hodgson, owner of Home Instead Northwich and Knutsford (Image: Supplied)

According to Home Instead, on average Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has 89.7 per cent of beds occupied overnight.

Data from the Institute for Government suggests that in the winter of 2022/23, one in seven hospitals beds were occupied by someone who could have been discharged.

At this same time, two-thirds of Home Instead’s national network experienced an increase in demand for consultation requests from prospective clients specifically referencing reablement support or hospital discharge.

Home Instead's post-hospital discharge care includes catheter, stoma and peg feed care

However, no prior experience is required with all training provided.

For more information call 01606 218 332 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/northwich-knutsford.