A new Agincare nursing unit has made a major impact on delayed hospital discharges in South London.

The Avon Unit at Waterside Care Home in Peckham was officially opened by by Cllr Evelyn Akoto, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Southwark Council, Agincare founder and chairman Derek Luckhurst and chief executive Raina Summerson on 7 November.

Agincare Group chief executive Raina Summerson said: “Agincare is proud to work closely in partnership with Southwark Council and the South East London ICB to increase nursing capacity across the borough. 

“As a leading care provider nationwide, we have over 35 years of experience of delivering high quality, personalised care in a wide range of settings, and look forward to developing our services to support local people in the area.”

Since opening, the unit, which has 17 bedrooms, has helped ease delayed hospital discharges with over 80% of people staying returning home without the need for additional ongoing support.

Waterside Care Home will also provide nursing provision to a further 16 people, and it is expected that this will continue to develop over time.

Earlier this year, Southwark Council appointed Agincare as the new care provider for four homes in the borough – Waterside, Greenhive, Bluegrove House and Rose Court under a long-term partnership arrangement.