Hospital Discharge in Hounslow

In August/September 2017, Healthwatch Hounslow  carried out a patient survey to find out the experience of some patients who, after spending some time as an in-patient in hospital, had been discharged from hospital.

Most respondents did not have issues with the notice period about discharge; the great majority were happy with the waiting time to be provided with any necessary medication before discharge, and did not have any issues about it. Furthermore, the majority were happy with the way that they/their family/carers had been treated in the hospital. 

Most respondents were happy with the time that transport was arranged for their discharge by the hospital, and most were happy about the transport arranged for them; although, an almost equally high number of respondents did not seem to have viewed transport as a relevant issue because they did not require any transport. 

Conclusions evident from responses received from staff include that the hospital has some dedicated staff whose task it is to coordinate discharge in collaboration with all relevant service providers Social workers are aware of the need to assess the need of patients referred to them in a holistic manner, to update it in collaboration with their colleagues and partners in health and social care and with patients and their family/carers; also, to produce it in an electronic format to enable easy sharing and communication by service providers and service users. The hospital provides information to relevant patients from diverse religions/faiths and ethnic backgrounds about EOL care and/or support.