Enter and view: Discharge Lounge, Countess of Chester Hospital
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Healthwatch Cheshire West conducted an announced enter and view visit to the Discharge Lounge at the Countess of Chester Hospital on 4 February 2015. The use of the ward is designated for the use of patients about to leave the hospital. On the day of the visit, the team engaged with 2 staff members and 4 patients using survey methods and used their observations of the ward to inform the report.
The team found that they were unable to explore the more complex discharge cases and related issues, and therefore, they have requested a further visit to the pharmacy and to individual wards with regard to the discharge procedure. The team found that there could be better communication between staff and patients, and between the pharmacy and discharge lounge for an overall quicker procedure. Some patients had long waits to be discharged due to waiting time for medication, in such cases, the patients did not appear comfortable. Transport was also deemed an issue in terms of waiting time and organisation from the ward. However, some patients did praise staff suggesting that they were pleased with their care.
The report did not include recommendations but did ask to visit relevant wards in relation to their discharge procedure.
The service provider responded to the report suggesting that they are continually looking for ways to improve the safe discharge of patients and reduce delays.