Norman Oddy, 79, who has severe breathing difficulties and a heart condition, is buying a bungalow in Scarborough after he was identified as an ideal candidate for a pilot case-management scheme being operated in the Richmondshire and Hambleton districts by North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The scheme, launched in January, seeks to provide additional support in the community for patients who run the highest risk of unplanned admission to hospital, helping them maintain their health, manage their illness and improve their quality of life.

Mr Oddy was living seven miles from Leyburn when he was identified for the scheme by Dr Stephen Wild, GP partner at Leyburn Medical Practice.

Dr Wild said: "This scheme is an exciting development in the care of people with complex long-term health problems who find themselves being admitted to hospital as an emergency perhaps several times a year."

Although Mr Oddy still runs his own car and manages to maintain his independence, low blood-oxygen levels in the morning left him tired and weak. With his health deteriorating, Mr Oddy was concerned about his ability to stay in his own home on a long-term basis.

Three months ago, he was assigned case manager Tanyor Wilbor who secured Mr Oddy more medical help and talked him through his long-term options.

'encouragement'

Mr Oddy said: "Tanya has really brought things together for me. Possibly the biggest difference health-wise was getting access to the home oxygen service, which brings my blood oxygen up to normal levels quite quickly in the mornings and makes getting up much easier.

"She has also pointed me in the right direction and made me think through the decisions I knew I needed to take. With her encouragement, I decided to put my house on the market and plan for my future while I still had the option to do so."

The PCT intends to expand the case management scheme across the whole of the county.