HEALTH experts are set to redesign the after care on offer for people to help them back on their feet after a stay in hospital.

There are currently 65 intermediate care beds across the county, 10 to prevent people in need from going to hospital and 55 to help people return to their homes after a stay in acute wards.

Around a third of people were staying beyond the maximum optimum time of 42-days in these temporary beds.

In 2018/19, 1,459 people stayed in one of the care beds, a combined total of over 30,000 days getting support.

A report due to be seen by the health select committee next week shows that too many people are staying in these short term care beds for too long.

Officers said: “While a full review is essential, this cannot be achieved within the need for the new contract to be in place by April 2020.

"The option with the least risk to patient safety is the procurement of the same number of beds as in the current contract while providers will be expected to work on the principle of IC beds being used only by people with relevant needs.” Wiltshire council cabinet will be asked to extend the contract to keep the beds running while redesigning the way that intermediate and system flow beds.