£19.3 million Department of Health and Social Care funding for the Norfolk community NHS trust will enable it to improve transition for patients from hospital care to the community.

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C) has been awarded £19.3 million to build a new state-of-the-art therapy-led reablement unit for 48 patients at its Norwich Community Hospital site.

Funding for the project, which is supported by the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB), was signed off by HM Treasury last month. The centre will help ease patients moving from local acute hospital settings back into the community and will utilise the latest therapy and rehabilitation technology and practices.

The unit will provide a supportive and comfortable environment for patients and their families, with healthcare delivered by a multidisciplinary team of clinical professionals dedicated to patient recovery and well-being.

Stephen Collman, CEO of NCH&C, said: “We’re delighted to announce this funding and excited to progress the build of this new NCH&C therapy-led reablement unit at Norwich Community Hospital. It will play a key role in the commitment to delivering patient-centred care in Norfolk and Waveney.

“Reablement is short-term supportive care, usually provided after a stay in hospital. The new NCH&C reablement facility will help facilitate seamless transition for patients from hospitals back into the community and reduce the risk of readmissions.”

Chair of NHS Norfolk and Waveney, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, said: “’I am delighted that our system will receive this important investment.

“We know that prolonged hospital stays, when not medically necessary, create poorer health outcomes, especially for those who are elderly or frail. That’s why it’s important we support people to continue their recovery out of hospital.

“This investment will benefit many parts of our health and care system. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our residents, staff and communities who have and continue to be involved in sharing their thoughts and feedback which is directly influencing this important work.”