'Care BnB': A private company is calling on people to rent their rooms to patients who have left hospital
21.03.2023 - 23:19
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
People are being asked to rent out rooms in their home for patients coming out of hospital. The scheme, run by a private company, is being trialled in Stockport.
The initiative is driven by CareRooms.com, which is looking to set up a network of ‘hosts’ in and around the town. It is the first Greater Manchester borough to be considered for the scheme.
The hosts would be paid a rental income by CareRooms. Similar schemes rolled out elsewhere in the country have been dubbed 'Care B'n'B'.
Potential hosts will need a spare room and time for a cup of tea and a chat with their guests - whose stay can last up to 14 nights.
The hosts would be vetted, interviewed and DBS checked as part of safeguarding measures, CareRooms.com says. The company also provides a training and support package and claims it will only accept guests who are suitable for this type of environment.
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People can work flexibly around their existing commitments but are asked to serve three meals a day, which are provided by CareRooms.com. No cooking is involved.
The scheme aims to ease a huge nationwide shortfall in social care, which often means patients are unable to leave hospital because of a lack of suitable care in available community facilities, such as care homes and supported living facilities. In turn this backs up the hospital system, leaving patients using vital bed space when they are healthy enough to leave.
Lizzie Gaudin, chief operations officer at CareRooms.com said: “We are trying to help set up modern day convalescence in communities like Stockport where resources are being stretched to their limits. People lose confidence after being ill,