Homeowners are being offered up to £1,000 a month by the NHS to rent their spare rooms as part of an Airbnb style model to free up hospital beds.
The pilot scheme, under consideration by NHS trusts and councils in Essex, could see adults without any care experience looking after newly released patients.
In return, those who sign up are asked to cook three microwave meals for their patient each day, provide them with drinks and ‘offer conversation’.
Homeowners aren’t required to have any prior care experience before housing their guest, but they are offered the opportunity to seek such training if desired.
The controversial scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, would create ‘a safe, comfortable place for people to recuperate from hospital’.
It is expected to alleviate chronic bed shortages and stop delayed transfers of care, which are behind the worst bedblocking rates ever recorded by the NHS.
