The Health Minister is reminding the public that timely discharge
from hospital is vital to protect our Health and Social Care
(HSC) services this winter.
Hospital admissions are on the rise in the winter months, and
during a visit to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Minister Nesbitt
witnessed firsthand just how under pressure services are.
The Minister visited the Belfast Trust's Discharge and Social
Work Hub, which provides support to facilitate patients going
home after a hospital stay, prioritising safe, effective and
compassionate care.
Health Minister said: “I was delighted to
visit the Hub at the Royal Victoria Hospital, to see the
excellent work they are doing to support the timely discharge of
patients. During winter, pressure is added to our already
stretched hospital services due to seasonal illnesses, and we all
need to do our bit to help.
“We want to ensure we have hospital beds ready for those who
require them as quickly as possible. Nobody wants a family member
or loved one to spend lengthy periods waiting for a hospital bed,
especially in the run up to Christmas. Unfortunately, if beds are
not available, this is the reality.
“Staying in hospital longer than you need to can also lead
to other health complications, such as hospital acquired
infections. Timely discharge is better for patients and our
hospitals.”
McMullan, Interim Director for Adult
Community, Older People's Services and Allied Health
Professionals at the Belfast Trust said: “There is huge pressure
on our beds, so it is really important that we have a good
discharge flow. Our multi-disciplinary team, which includes
social workers, pharmacy, occupational therapists and a
physiotherapist, play a vital part in ensuring that people are
going home at the right time, with the right support.
“We know that with older people, long hospital days increases the
risk of deconditioning, so we really want to get them back home
safely as quickly as possible once their acute medical need has
been addressed.”
The Minister wants to reassure the public that we are working
hard to ensure that the HSC system will be there for those who
need it this winter. He added: “Health and social care staff will
continue to do their best to provide care to all those who need
it. Even though our hospitals are under pressure, it is vital
that anyone who requires urgent care seeks and receives it.”
Patients who are ready to be discharged
but need help at home, which is not immediately available, may be
offered a range of support, including:
- the option of a Direct Payment
- being asked to wait at home with support from your
family/friends
- a temporary placement in a care home.
This might cause you some temporary inconvenience but please be
assured that local HSC Trusts will continue to source the care
option that best meets your assessed needs.
To assist with the availability of Home Care capacity, HSC Trusts
will continue to review support packages through their Early
Review Teams. Packages of homecare will be considered in line
with an individual's assessed needs which could mean a reduction
in support, but equally these reviews can lead to increased
packages of care where that is appropriate. This process enables
capacity to be released back into the system. Each hour released
is an additional hour that can be allocated to someone in need.
