Hotels in Cornwall reopen as care homes to support stretched NHS and social care systems
Cornwall's hotel industry has joined forces with Cornwall Council to provide accommodation for people who have been discharged from hospital but are not ready to go home.
Three hotels in Cornwall, including the family-owned Carnmarth hotel in Newquay (pictured), have reopened for temporary residents who have suffered health conditions other than Covid-19, for what Cornwall Council says is "a short-term arrangement".
The 31-bedroom Carnmarth hotel was among the first to reopen and is providing accommodation for 12 discharged patients.
Owner Will Hatfield said: "We are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that staff are trained and equipped to support people.
"I'm really pleased and very proud that we are able to help Cornwall and support the health and care system at this time of emergency".
Rob Rotchell, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for adults, social care team, who has been working with the hotels and the county's hospital on patient discharge plans, said: "The people who will be using this resource have been in hospital with varying conditions not related to coronavirus and now no longer require hospital care so this a great solution for them, keeping them well and nearer to being back into their own home."
Rotchell said that fully-trained care workers, deployed from Corcare, part of Corserv, will ensure that everyone in the hotels is receiving the support they need, as well as putting measures in place to get them back home as soon as they can. He said that social distancing requirements "will be strictly followed at all times to help keep people safe".
Cornwall, one of the country's most popular tourist hotspots, has been devastated by the enforced closure of its hotel and leisure industry, with revenues particularly damaged over the Easter break . Tourism officials have said that 80% of the industry could collapse if holidaymakers do not return for July and August.
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