How Cornwall’s Home First Service Is Changing Lives After Hospital

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Home First service is helping people across Cornwall recover at home more easily after illness or hospital stays.

Recovering at Home

The Home First team includes nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and support workers who help people regain independence safely at home. The service was set up to offer short-term rehabilitation and reablement, helping people avoid hospital admissions and supporting early discharge.

According to the Trust, providing rehabilitation and reablement in a person’s own home achieves positive outcomes for recovery.

Dave’s Story

One of those supported by the service is Dave, who lives near St Austell. Following a referral from his GP, he began receiving home visits from the Home First team.

Dave, a talented carpenter, suffered a stroke in 2000 at the age of 29. It left him blind in one eye, partially sighted in the other, and unable to use his left arm and hand. He also spent time in a wheelchair.

“We needed help,” admitted Dave.

That help came from the Home First team. With their support, Dave is now slowly able to begin carpentry projects again.

Dave’s mum, Jackie, said the team provided essential support:

“Dave could not sit up, he could not eat, he could not drink because I could not move him. He could not use the bathroom.

“Within 2 days Dave had a hospital bed, he was able to sit up. The team came and helped him in the shower. Without them we would have gone under because I physically could not move Dave.”

Dave added:

“When I had my stroke originally, the hospital moved me around, but having this episode again at home with my mum and dad, we had no means of moving about. It was quite serious. Without Home First we would not have managed.”

Stuart’s Story

Another person helped by Home First is Stuart from St Austell, who lives with his wife, Sue.

After spending four weeks in hospital with water retention in his legs and kidney and heart problems, Stuart returned home to be cared for by Sue. When caring alone became difficult, she was told about Home First.

Sue said:

“I was very pleased with them. It has helped us immensely. It meant that Stuart was able to manage on his own when I’m not here.

“Without them it would have been a real struggle for me and Stuart. It was a lifeline for us both.

“It just takes the pressure off me, knowing they were there if I needed them.”

A keen rugby fan who played over 200 games for St Austell Rugby Club, Stuart said:

“Sue has been doing a lot and it’s just been us.

“Home First have been really good. I cannot fault it.

“The physio has been really good. They get you doing exercises and moving about. It has helped me a lot.”

The Home First service continues to help many people across Cornwall recover safely and independently in their own homes.