Given the choice, most people would prefer to get better at home, rather than in a hospital – and now, a new service from the Bury Local Care Organisation (Bury LCO) is set to make this happen for more patients.

For the first time in the borough, many patients who previously would have needed to be in hospital or a short stay facility, will be able to get healthier and stronger in their house as a team of professionals visits them to help their recovery.

Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and therapy instructors, as well as nurses, support workers, pharmacists and social workers will rally around to help them get back on their feet.

The aim of the service is to promote self-care and increase someone’s independence and confidence with daily living activities, enabling a person to continue to, or return to, living at home as safely and as well as possible. Research has shown that people are more likely to get better, faster at home, rather than in hospital.

Called ‘IMC at Home’ (IMC is an abbreviation for ‘intermediate care’, where someone is not ill enough to be in hospital, but not well enough to recover on their own at home), it will also relieve pressure on busy hospitals and short stay care facilities. People can receive the service for up to six weeks.

Fauve Syers, Bury LCO intermediate tier therapy lead, said: “IMC at Home is needed because many people don’t actually need to be admitted into a short stay facility or hospital, but they do require some health and social care support due to a change in their needs.

“IMC at Home will now enable many people to stay at home, but do so safely, as they will be supported by a variety of professionals who will work with them for a short period of time to improve their independence and safety to remain at home long term.”

The team will visit the person in their home and identify areas of need that the person is concerned about and wants to improve. Together they will agree goals that are important to the person, but also that the team know will improve independence, confidence and overall health and wellbeing.

Adrian Crook, assistant director for adult social care at Bury LCO, said: “By providing more support and care for people in their homes, we are doing the best thing for Bury residents and patients who would almost always prefer to recover at home.

“At the same time, this will ease the pressure at hospitals and care facilities, so that people who need a bed the most have access to one.”

What would the perfect Bury look like in 2030 for you and your family?

What could, and would, you do to help achieve this?

These are the big questions Bury Council – a Bury Local Care Organisation partner – is asking residents, business and community groups in a ‘Big Conversation’, aimed at influencing ambitious proposals for jobs, health, education and the environment for the next decade and beyond.

An online survey – click here – has been created, which runs until Monday, October 13, and a series of face-to-face meetings will be held across the borough for people to have their say in person.

People are urged to take ten minutes and fill out the online survey. The survey will include questions such as what you love about Bury and what could be improved and you can enter a prize draw to win £100.

It will also ask if you could play a role within the community to help get the improvements you want.

Cllr Tamoor Tariq, the first deputy leader of the Bury Council, said: “Our Bury Strategy is our promise to deliver the goals we agree. It brings together public, private, voluntary and community organisations who are committed to working even more closely towards a common vision – to help Bury’s residents access the opportunities they deserve and realise their aspirations.

“But public service reform can only be achieved by investing in communities and creating new relationships between our residents and public services. This strategy will set out how we will empower people and communities. We will have a different type of relationship where residents and businesses play their part too, against a backdrop of continuing reduction of public sector budgets and major changes created under devolution for Greater Manchester.”

The Bury Strategy will have three main themes:

Inclusive economy: We want Bury to become an inclusive economy leader where people and enterprise thrive because of regeneration, work and skills opportunities. Building on Greater Manchester’s Local Industrial Strategy, our plan will form a blueprint for good jobs, homes and economic growth for the whole borough.

Thriving communities:Building on the strengths of our people and community groups to tackle problems earlier. Our Locality Plan is the first step to help people stay well for longer, and reduce inequality across the borough.

A sustainable environment: Developing proposals to clean up our air, eradicate single-use plastics and ensure better transport connectivity is all part of our ambitious target to become carbon neutral by 2038, supporting Greater Manchester’s 5-Year Environment Plan.

Cllr Tariq added: “There’s lots to be proud of in Bury already, but we want to build on our achievements to ensure we can meet future challenges like climate change, housing affordability and demographic changes.

“We need to understand how people living, working and studying in Bury today, feel about the place and what their hopes for the future are.

“We’re all justifiably proud of Bury, and we all have a role to play in making Bury the place we want it be.”