Patients are to be moved from hospitals into Cornwall's hotels in a bid to free up beds during the coronavirus pandemic.

Those being relocated will be patients who are well enough to be discharged but are not ready to go home.

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

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, which will also help to relieve the pressure on the health and care system.

“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 so this a great solution for them, keeping them well and nearer to being back into their own home."

Fully trained care workers from Corcare, part of Corserv, will make sure those being cared for in the hotels receive the support they need, as well as putting in place all the measures needed to get them back home as soon as they can.

People will be transported from the hospital and met by a member of the care and support team to settle them into their room and answer any questions.

Social distancing requirements will be followed at all times.

The first hotel to open will be the family-owned Carnmarth Hotel in Newquay.

Owner Will Hatfield said: “We are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that staff are trained and equipped to support people. I’m really pleased and very proud that we are able to help Cornwall and support the health and care system at this time of emergency."

Conversations are underway with other hotels in Cornwall wanting to show their support and replicate these services. It is thought they should all be in operation within the next month.

The council said this was a short-term arrangement, expected to be in place for up to 12 weeks. During this time the hotels will not be open to the general public.