GWENT will receive a £3.6 million share of £20 million of Welsh Government money that is aimed at easing pressure on hospitals by helping older and vulnerable people to remain at home.

Last year, £35 million was invested in the first year of an Intermediate Care Fund to support joint working between the NHS, councils and the voluntary and charitable sectors on projects designed as alternatives to admission to hospital.

The fund has also supported schemes that help people to return home from hospital as quickly as possible, to reduce delayed discharges and ease pressure on unscheduled care services.

Gwent is one of six areas of Wales that will benefit from individual allocations, with a £2.5 million slice of the funding to be used to identify areas of good practice and ensure they are spread across Wales.

“The investments we have already made over the last 12 months have enabled health, housing and social services – along with the third and independent sectors – to work together on some very innovative projects across Wales,” said health minister Mark Drakeford.

“This is helping to make a real difference to the lives of older people across Wales.

“I am extremely pleased that we are able to continue investing in these essential projects.”