OLDER people in Hampshire are to benefit from a boost to nursing care provision with the introduction of up to 500 nursing home beds across the county.

The £60m county council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Health Authority initiative will prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and reduce the number of delayed discharges, freeing up beds for hospital operations and reducing waiting times.

Thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, the scheme will see the places built mostly on council land, attached to residential homes, or on NHS sites.

Initial funding will come from the Department of Health and the health authority and once the beds are in use, the county council will meet the running costs.

Details of the plans are still under consideration, but first units will be built at up to 15 sites spread across the county, and will be ready for use during 2004.

Proposed plans will be available to the public once sites have been finalised over the next few months.

The purpose-built homes will be run by Hampshire Social Services and will be used for older people who cannot be dealt with in their own homes or in residential homes.

The beds will add to the 3,600 currently in privately-run nursing homes across the county, and will complement the county council's 1,100 residential beds in 26 homes.

County council leader Ken Thornber said the initiative would offer more security and choice to older people in Hampshire.

He said: "It is abundantly clear that unless we take steps we will continue to have increasing difficulties in serving enough beds offering the appropriate level of care for those who need it."