Southend West Conservative MP Sir David Amess was “aghast” when he heard about a highly-controversial “home care” scheme for convalescing hospital patients.

A small trial is due to take place in the Southend, where homeowners could earn up to £50 a night putting people up as they recuperate from a hospital stay after minor operations.

But Sir David led the chorus of disapproval against the Airbnb type scheme being run by CareRooms.

He said: “I was aghast when I first learnt of the proposals regarding CareRooms. No one had briefed me on this issue or warned me that such a proposal was being considered.

“I immediately contacted NHS England and the chief executive of Southend Hospital.

“I have now seen the statement issued by the deputy chief executive of Southend Hospital which seeks to clarify this matter, but I have asked for more detail.”

Sir David added: “Bed blocking as it is called, is a continuing problem and I would always welcome the issue being addressed in a sensible way. Without having the details about the proposal I am at a loss to understand how it would work.

“I am somewhat puzzled by the claim that this whole concept has been triggered by a part-time doctor in A&E.

“Once someone has made a recovery in hospital and is fit to go home, delayed discharge is never in the patient’s best interest, but I am not at all sure that the concept of care rooms as I understand it is a solution.”

The scheme has been roundly dismissed in many quarters.

NHS figures show that last year, 2.2 million hospital “bed days” in England were lost due to delayed transfers of care and it is hoped the controversial pilot scheme will pave the way to a solution to the problem.

Southend Hospital, Southend and Rochford and Castle Point Clinical Commissioning Groups and Southend Council are said to be behind the trial scheme.

Echo:

A council spokesman said: “We want to make it clear that we are awaiting further information on how the project will run and the preparation of a detailed business case before we make any formal commitment or give support to the project.

“At this early stage the council has only agreed to explore the viability of the project with other partners.”

The proposal reached Westminster on Wednesday.

Labour former minister Lord Clark of Windermere warned that “vulnerable patients” would be allocated to homes where the host had no “medical expertise”.

The Save Southend NHS campaign group has also raised “serious concerns” about the scheme.

A spokesman said: “Through Care Rooms, the NHS would pay private homeowners “with no care experience’ up to £1,000 per month to host patients who still require some medical support and would normally be in a hospital setting for the rest of their recovery or awaiting a place in an intermediate care or residential facility.

“The supposed aim is to reduce the number of patients remaining in hospital for the duration of their recovery.

“As a result, potentially vulnerable people may end up in unsuitable accommodation and being cared for people who have little training.

“The scheme also doesn’t appear to be regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

“The Save Southend NHS campaign has discovered that this cost-cutting scheme is being piloted as part of the Mid and South Essex Success Regime, and promoted by the hospital– with leaflets being handed out to patients and visitors in public areas of the hospital.”