CARE homes have joined forces with GPs to introduce a new way of supporting patients in Bury.

GP practices are being partnered with specific care homes to offer patients a more coordinated, proactive and responsive package of care.

Doctors will carry out a comprehensive health assessment and develop a care plan with a patient, their relatives and staff at the care home. Patients will also benefit from regular home visits and assessments, not just when they are poorly, and from regular contact between the home and doctor.

It is hoped the scheme will allow relationships to be built between a care home and GP practice, as well as reduce the number of hospital admissions.

Dr Kiran Patel, chairman and clinical lead for NHS Bury CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group), said: “Patients living in care homes can often have complex health and social care needs, including long-term conditions which require co-ordinated planned care.

“Unfortunately because of their inability to attend GP surgeries, their care is often more unplanned and reactive, seeing their GP only when they become ill.

“This scheme will encourage a more holistic approach to their needs and improve the relationship between relatives, care home staff and GP practices.

“The approach should ensure that the patient's and relatives’ wishes are understood and any future care is planned with those wishes in mind.”

The majority of GP practices and care homes in Bury have already signed up to this project.

New patients at care homes will be asked whether they wish to register with the partner GP practice or remain with their existing GP.