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Supporting patients with timely discharges

April 11, 2023

As we strive to provide the best possible care to our patients, it’s important that we maintain focus on planning discharges in a timely and effective manner. Doing so helps to minimise unnecessary hospital stays and frees up valuable resources for those in need particularly during this week’s industrial action.

To support us in this effort, we have access to a range of support services, including the Integrated Discharge Hub, Discharge Lounges, and Virtual Wards. These services are designed to make the discharge process as seamless as possible for both patients and staff.

Colleagues in the Integrated Discharge Hub are available to support you. Call them on extension 3147 or via  integrated.discharge-hub@nhs.net (open 8am – 8pm, 7 days per week).

The Integrated Discharge Hub on ext. 3147 will offer advice and support for all patients with No Criteria To Reside (NCTR – previously known as “medically fit”).

During every board round and safety huddle please ask the following questions for the MDT to consider:

  1. Why is this person in hospital? Why not home and why not today?
  2. What treatment is this person receiving? Could this be continued at home?
  3. What investigations are they waiting for? Why can’t they be done as an outpatient?
  4. Why are we re-checking blood tests? Will this change our care or treatment? Why can’t this be done in the community?
  5. Is this person waiting to see a therapist or specialist team? Why can’t this be done in the community?

If this person is medically optimised (NCTR) why are they still in an acute bed? – call the Integrated Discharge Hub for support and advice on ext. 3147.

Discharge lounges

Remember the discharge lounges are now open 7 days a week from 7am through to 7pm at Sandwell and City Hospital:

  • Sandwell – Newton 1
  • City – now on D28 (moved from AMU 1)

The lounges are the ideal location for patients who no longer meet the criteria to reside in our acute bedbase. Patients can be stepped down to the lounge whilst awaiting TTOs, transport or transfer to MFFD beds.

Please include the discharge lounge in your patient discharge discussions so they are aware of the journey.

Could your patient be suitable for a virtual ward?

Virtual wards aim to prevent avoidable admissions into hospital and support early discharges by providing a safe and efficient alternative to NHS bedded care through the use of technology. Patients are able to receive high quality care delivered through a multidisciplinary team led by a named consultant practitioner with clear lines of clinical responsibility and governance.

Intensive monitoring through telehealth, telephone calls and home visits keeps patients in close contact with the team delivering their care, ensuring they feel well connected and supported when in their own surroundings.

If your patient is suitable for a virtual ward, speak to the team on 0121 507 2664 option 1 and then option 4.