HOTELS in Cornwall will be used as convalescence homes to help free up hospital beds for coronavirus patients.

Cornwall Council’s adult social care team has been working on the scheme which will free up to 120 beds.

Corcare staff will be deployed to look after those staying in the temporary care homes.

Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for adults Rob Rotchell said: ’We have been working very hard to find ways in which we can support people to live safely at home following their stay in hospital, and, in the current climate, with such a strain on our resources this has proved a particular challenge. We have just launched a massive recruitment campaign to enlist the help of people across Cornwall for the care sector.

’The people who will be using this resource have been in hospital with varying conditions not related to Coronavirus and now no longer require hospital care.’

The arrangement is expected to be in place for 12 weeks.