140 new social care beds will help free up capacity in Northamptonshire hospitals

The additional beds will be available for people being discharged from the county’s hospitals, which are having to cope with more coronavirus related admissions.

The beds have been identified by Northamptonshire County Council at both private and council facilities in a bid to keep hospital capacity at manageable levels.

Councillor Matt Golby, the Conservative leader of the county council, said: “Increasing the number of beds available for people to use when they leave hospital is an absolutely vital part of the council’s ongoing work to deal with the current COVID-19 crisis.

“The team has achieved a great deal in a short amount of time, mobilising numerous contractors for urgent refurbishment work as well as carrying out negotiations with care homes and ensuring the right licenses are in place to make this work.

“We are continuing to work to do everything we can to secure more beds and further increase this capacity.”

Extra beds have also been secured at St Andrew’s Healthcare, with 43 rooms at Foster Ward, Daniel Rambaut Ward and Althorp Ward being made available.

Katie Fisher, the CEO at St Andrew’s Healthcare, added: “As a charity with roots in Northampton we’re very happy to help in any way we can. Providing these extra care beds allows us to give something back to the community in Northamptonshire as well as easing the pressure on both the NHS and the council during this pandemic.”

The county council says work is also underway to deliver additional mortuary capacity for the county, with three possible locations being considered.