Hospital Discharge Process

Anne Lee

Lisa Smith

Aims of Presentation

• To provide information about the role of the Hospital Discharge Team at the RLI.

• To discuss the factors affecting the discharge planning process from the Discharge Team’s perspective.

• To share ways in which we can work together to improve the discharge planning process.

Hospital Discharge Team• Team Managers: Sue Preston (F/T) & Briony Butler (P/T)

• Social Workers: • Frieda McGill (4days) • Anne Lee (F/T) • Caroline Hockey (F/T)• Sue Helme (F/T) • Jane Upton (P/T) • Lisa Smith (P/T)• Yvonne Simpson (FT)• Glynis Davies (FT)

Hospital Discharge Team• Review Assessment and Support Officers :• Louise Lambert (F/T)• Lyn Baxendale (F/T) • Sue Livingstone (F/T)• Janine Nolan (P/T)

• Admin Support: • Carmen Alexander (F/T) • Catherine Robinson (P/T)• Hospital Discharge also includes Intermediate Care

Services.

Legislative and Procedural Guidance affecting Social Work process within Hospital Discharge

• NHS Continuing Health Care• Mental Capacity• Deprivation of Liberty• Best Interest• Risk Assessment• Safeguarding Adults

Process for Hospital discharge

• Ward issues Section 2 referral when patient is medically fit for assessment

• Referral is sent to Hospital Discharge who input and ensure referrals to OT/ DNLO/ Mental Health Liaison are completed

• Section 2 sent to Social Work for allocation• Cases allocated each morning Monday –

Friday

Issues which can effect or delay discharge

• Incorrect or incomplete information on Section 2

• OT and Mental Health assessments

• Continuing Care considerations

Issues which can effect or delay discharge

• Mental Capacity, Best Interests Decisions

• Safeguarding Issues

• Contacting next of kin

• Family dynamics/conflicts of interest

• Accommodation issues

Issues which can effect or delay discharge

• Availability of Domiciliary mainstream services

• Availability of appropriate placements i.e. Residential, EMD, EMI or Nursing Home beds

• Panel approvals for Residential/Nursing placements

Issues which can effect or delay discharge

• Out of County Residential/Nursing placements

• Patient becomes unwell

• Awaiting delivery of specialist equipment e.g. Hospital bed

• Staff shortages on Hospital Discharge Team due to annual leave/sickness

How to Make Things Better

• Improved knowledge of different roles within the discharge planning process

• Improved communication, including correctly completed section 2 forms