Early 'Hospital Discharge' Advice Aids Care

A new guide helping elderly and vulnerable patients in Chesterfield better plan their hospital stay will improve care and help them make a full and quicker recovery, the health bosses from NHS Derbyshire County say.

Most patients stay in hospital for only a short time. But for those who stay in hospital for lengthier periods they may be unable to leave hospital, or transfer to community hospitals or residential homes simply because their care needs had not been planned earlier.

Now health chiefs from NHS Derbyshire County say the new 'Planning Your Discharge From Hospital' guide - which has been put together in conjunction with Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council - will help medical staff, nursing and social care teams support patients and their families to better prepare to leave hospital or transfer to more suitable care more quickly and safely. It will also help to keep more acute hospital beds available to treat people who are ill and avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions.

Evidence shows that once a patient is well enough, delaying discharge home or transfer, even by a day or so, to a more suitable care setting can hinder a patient's recovery - particularly if their condition has stabilised and they need extra support to begin living life independently again.

Delaying transfer also increases the chances of vulnerable and elderly patients being readmitted to hospital once they are discharged, and their chances of picking up other illnesses.

Jackie Pendleton, Chief Operating Officer for North Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Making sure patients get the right support when they are medically ready to leave hospital is a top priority and getting the right help at the right time also helps to keep beds free for patients who are severely ill. This new guide ensures that the system works in everyone's interests, so that all patients in Chesterfield get the right care and support at the right time and when they are most likely to benefit.

"It will also make sure that the right conversations take place between medical, nursing and social care staff to make sure patients make the best possible recovery and recuperation, at the right point in their hospital stay."

25,000 copies of the new guide have been printed. These are to be distributed to patients by health and social care staff within Derby and Derbyshire.

No one is discharged or transferred from an acute hospital bed without first being assessed by the medical or social care team in charge of their care.

Once they are medically well enough, patients can return home, or continue receiving rehabilitation treatment or care and support elsewhere.