Hospital Discharge in North Kent, Kent

To understand the issues that affect hospital discharge in North Kent. Through this identify the issues that may prevent people from having a good discharge and to uncover best practice and innovative solutions. 125 people were spoken to including patients, carers and families, Practice Managers, Darent Valley Hospital staff and Care Home Managers. HW Kent also took part in a Rapid Improvement Workshop.

Positives seen include: the Discharge Lounge is a positive and welcoming space and the staff have time to talk to patients. Staff were proactively seeking and collecting medication for patients. 88% of patients said they felt well enough to go home when they were discharged.

Challenges seen include: People are often unclear about what they should do after being discharged. 36% of patients who needed extra care or support weren’t told what that would be.

Challenges for the hospital include: Huge demand on services. Patients are often medically well for discharge but there is no-where for them to go. Lack of community based rehabilitation services to support people at home can mean people spend longer in hospital.

Challenges for other people include: Discharge paperwork is not always completed on time. Handwritten discharge papers can lead to errors.

Recommendations include: Continue to invest and support the Discharge Lounge and make maximum use of it and to support the Frailty Navigators. Discharge paperwork must be completed at the bedside, a copy given to the patient/carer and sent electronically to the GP and any other relevant professional.