Hearing the views of patients, families and staff on pilot rehabiltation scheme

Healthwatch Wiltshire undertook research on the views of patients, staff, families and carers on a pilot scheme for hospital discharge and accelerated rehabilitation, known as the Pathway 2 pilot. In October 2022, 27 patients and staff at Little Manor Care Centre, Salisbury responded to their survey.

Most of the patients arriving at Little Manor had received little or no information from the hospital about the reason they were there, or how long they would be there. Many were distressed and confused and it took considerable time for them to be reassured by staff.

But most patients praised the staff at Little Manor, saying they were friendly and helpful and supported them with their rehabilitation.

All staff interviewed felt that the multidisciplinary team approach, based on site and working collaboratively, was very positive and a much more effective way of working.

Key points that repeatedly emerged from the feedback were:

• Getting referrals from hospital that meet the Pathway 2 eligibility criteria is critical to the success of rehabilitation within the 28-day target.

• Brokerage teams need to understand the Pathway 2 eligibility criteria better and take the capacity of the care home into consideration, so they are able to make appropriate referrals.

• The 28-day programme for rehabilitation and recovery was seen as sufficient time for most patients.

• The multidisciplinary team approach was unanimously approved by staff, and patients liked having the reassurance of the different expertise available on site.

• Having the social workers involved right from the patient’s arrival and first few days helps to facilitate appropriate care planning for after the patient is discharged from rehabilitation. Social workers told us they would like to see this approach rolled out in other care homes as they feel it is very effective.

The report concludes that overall, patients, staff and the families and carers who gave their views were very positive about the benefits of the Pathway 2 pilot model being trialled at Little Manor. But improvements could be made around referrals and better information is needed for patients on their discharge from hospital and for them to understand why they have been sent to a care home for rehabilitation.

The report makes a number of recommendations and includes a response from the Better Care Fund, Wiltshire Council.