Plans to treat and assess elderly people in their own homes will ease pressure on Colchester General Hospital, health bosses believe.

The North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will launch a new team of rapid assessment nurses, who will aim to treat patients in their homes rather than in hospital.

The scheme will be carried out in the Tendring area, with the aim of ensuring residents receive treatment as close to home as possible.

Dr Shane Gordon, clinical chief officer of the CCG, said: “If you are frail and elderly and stuck in hospital for three weeks, you lose lots of your confidence, skills and the ability to look after yourself."

A community-based rapid assessment service for Tendring residents will launch in August.

As well as nurses assessing patients in their own homes, a new rapid assessment unit will be set up at Clacton Hospital.

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