A NEW health building which should help to tackle York's "bed blocking" problems is gearing up to receive its first patients.

In two weeks' time, 28 beds to care for people who do not need to be in hospital, but still require medical support, will be available at Archways, a refurbished City of York Council building leased by Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The new "intermediate care" building off Haxby Road, formerly the sheltered housing complex Clarendon Court, will offer 24-hour nursing, while promoting independence among older people, and aims for patients to return home within six weeks. Although some patients will stay in Archways after a spell in hospital, most will be referred by their GP for medical support or to give their carers a break.

Intermediate care co-ordinator for the PCT, Sheila Mackenzie, said the National Service Framework For Older People highlighted a need for about 30 more intermediate care beds in York and Selby.

In response, Archways was developed as a partnership between the PCT, City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists will deliver care to patients in a three-floor "homely" building with lifts and en suite bedrooms.

She said: "Archways is very much geared around rehabilitation and getting people back home, offering a flexible care package which may last up to six weeks.

"It is linked to other services within the PCT, so people will be directed to services which best meet their needs."

Unit manager Sheena Foxwell said although Archways would help to ease bed-blocking problems, people would not be shifted out of hospital if they still needed to be there.

"Archways is about preventing unnecessary admission to hospital in the first place," she said. "With older people a little urine infection could flatten them, they don't need to be admitted, but they can't stay at home. At Archways they will be offered the support they need within homely surroundings."

Updated: 10:32 Monday, October 11, 2004