A care centre in Great Yarmouth designed to provide residents with additional short-term support has helped 24 people return to their own homes following treatment in hospital.

Oak Lodge is part of the Burgh House care home on High Road and provides people with help in day to day living tasks.

Residents can stay there for up to six weeks free of charge until they are able to return home.

The new unit was commissioned by Norfolk County Council in conjunction with the NHS and is part of the council’s drive to support people to live independent lives in their own homes for as long as possible.

It is also hoped to reduce pressure on the hospital service by freeing up beds at the James Paget hospital.

Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s adult social care committee, Bill Borrett, said: “Oak Lodge compliments the great work being done at Benjamin Court in Cromer by providing a similar facility to people who live in the east of the county.

“This is another example of how, against a perfect storm of rising demand and growing costs, when council budgets are being squeezed, we are not sitting back but shaping our own destiny.”

The service is known as reablement and helps to prevent people from having to go into long term residential care.

Deputy chief officer of NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney clinical commissioning group (CCG), Cath Byford, said: “We welcome this new facility at Oak Lodge. Clinical evidence shows that people over the age of 80 who have seven days of bed rest can lose 10pc of their muscle mass.

“Oak Lodge will provide people with some time in supportive accommodation where they can build up their strength and confidence resulting in excellent outcomes for those who have used the services.”

Oak Lodge has four bedrooms and provides accommodation in a home from home environment.

A dedicated occupational therapist plus other support and health staff help residents with personal care. This includes food and drink preparation as well as mobility support.

The care centre opened in January and hopes to continue playing a vital role in people’s recovery from treatment in hospital.