An open day at Templeton House provided an opportunity for representatives from a variety of agencies involved in caring for older people to see ‘Up and About’ in operation.

The service is operated in a partnership between South Ayrshire Council’s Social Work, Housing and Health Department and NHS Acute and Primary Care within a specially adapted area of Templeton House that is situated in Racecourse Road in Ayr.

Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Social Justice Committee, Councillor Ian Stewart said: “Up and About’ was specifically designed to meet the needs of people who are 60 years of age or older, who are in hospital and no longer require medical care, but are not able to be discharged as they require rehabilitation to build their confidence.

“The scheme enables people to receive professional care which will help to rehabilitate them as soon as possible so that they can return home. There is also the added benefit that less people require admission to long term residential care, and it speeds up discharge from hospital thus making more hospital beds available.”

An area of Templeton House has been adapted for people involved in ‘Up and About’ everyone has their own room, and there is a dining room, three lounges, a kitchen and a physiotherapy room. A great effort has been made to make the living areas and bathrooms homely, so that patients are encouraged to adopt similar routines to those that they would have at home.

People taking part in ‘Up and About’ receive physiotherapy, occupational therapy and self-care, and advice that are individually tailored to enable them to return home as soon as possible. Families and friends can visit daily, and most people involved in the programme would be expected to return home within a six week period.

Eight staff work within the unit, a Physiotherapist, an Occupational Therapist, a Senior Social Care Worker and five Social Care Workers who ensure that the individual needs of each participant are catered for.

Once a person is discharged from ‘Up and About’ to their own home, an appropriate home care package will be devised, and where necessary equipment and adaptations can be provided.

Further information about this project can be obtained from a General Practitioner, staff at a local Social Work Office or direct from the ‘Up and About’ team at Templeton House, 40 Racecourse Road, Ayr telephone number 01292 289935.

Convener of the Council’s Social Justice Committee, Councillor Ian Stewart is pictured (fourth from left) in the ‘Up and About’ area of Templeton House with two residents and members of staff.

June 2005