PLANS to cut hospital admissions by a quarter by visiting more patients at home will be trialled in Tendring.

The initiative, known as the virtual ward, is being run at three Clacton centres, East Lynne Medical Centre, in Wellesley Road, the Old Road surgery and Ranworth Surgery, Pier Avenue.

If successful, the scheme could be rolled out across north-east Essex.

Chris Horsnell, 74, of St Mark Drive, Colchester, has worked with NHS staff in setting up the project.

He said a similar initiative trialled in Surrey and the Midlands was a success.

Mr Horsnell said: “If you ask any patient, they would prefer to be at home in their own bed with better food and having people visiting when it’s convenient.

“If I was unfortunate enough to develop a long-term condition I know I would prefer to be looked after on a ‘virtual ward’.

“In a few years, when people look back, I think the introduction of virtual wards will be viewed as a development as significant as the introduction of day surgery.”

The new scheme is aimed at patients with multiple long-term conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who are often in and out of hospital.

Instead, Health and social workers will care for the patients at home. Up to 100 can be treated in this way at any one time.

The most ill will be reviewed daily and others will be checked on weekly.

Health officials estimate the project could reduce hospital admissions by 25 per cent and result in 2,086 fewer GP appointments and 302 fewer GP visits a year.

Lizzy Warrington, of primary care trust NHS North East Essex, said: “It is better for the patient to be treated in the community, especially at home if possible.

“It is also better for the hospital as it can focus on treating people who need to be there.”