Planning for hospital discharge

When a patient is admitted into an acute ward, while they are getting care and treatment, staff immediately start planning for their discharge. A new information leaflet is now given to all patients which includes an approximate discharge date so the patient and their family have something to work towards. This is helping to reduce delays in beds becoming available, due to the patients having no transport or a relative that can stay with them when they get home.  We also have ‘Home by One’ in place at Antrim Area Hospital which means on discharge day, all staff work with the patient and their family, plus community services to make sure they can leave the hospital by 1pm. This includes organising support at home such as domiciliary care (if there is an assessed need) and making sure they have follow up information and a supply of medication they need.

29th January 2019