Rehabilitation, recovery and reablement impact report

Hospital discharge continued to be an area that Healthwatch South Gloucestershire heard about from local people, both improvements in discharge processes and areas where things could be improved. Healthwatch South Gloucestershire was keen to understand the care provided and experiences that residents have when discharged through South Gloucestershire’s rehabilitation, recovery and reablement (3Rs) programme.

Interestingly, nobody that Healthwatch South Gloucestershire spoke to mentioned they were signposted to other services, such as community or voluntary sector groups, after discharge in order to help maintain their independence and wellbeing at home. Feedback indicates that the medical model applied through the 3R's programme enables the majority of people to return home after a hospital stay. However, with an increasing focus on self-care, Healthwatch South Gloucestershire felt it would be good to see health professionals utilising support that's available in the community to help people to look after their own wellbeing.

During this programme of work it become evident that the majority of patients that Healthwatch South Gloucestershire spoke to were receiving treatment through Pathway two because they had had a fall, some of which had resulted in fractures. This raised questions with Healthwatch South Gloucestershire's Executive Board and enter and view team as to why so many people are falling and what is being or can be done to tackle the underlying causes.