Better care plan engagement report: evaluation of the choice policy at Salisbury District Hospital

This report is part of Healthwatch Wiltshire’s Better Care Plan work. Healthwatch Wiltshire is working with the Better Care Plan programme partnership (Wiltshire Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group) to assist in meeting its aim to see health and social care integrated by 2020. The aim of this project was to gather views on the discharge process with a particular focus on choice, involvement and information provision. The information gathered will be shared with Salisbury District Hospital to enable them to ensure the best possible discharge outcome for every patient.

The summary of findings and conclusion states; over the last 12 months Salisbury District Hospital has taken a number of steps to improve the hospital discharge process. One of the areas that has seen improvement has been in the development of a multi professional IDT which was established in February 2017. It is clear that a great deal of work has been undertaken by the Head of Integrated Discharge in building up networks with local care homes, and has strong links with local care homes and home care providers. While there has been significant progress in recent years on getting people home from hospital faster, it is important that this is done safely with people able to get the support they need to recover.

The recommendations included in the report are; raise with Commissioners the difficulties with patient transport and the need to introduce a responsive patient transport system, with timeslots available for booking on the day (not the current 4hr window). Ensure that all patients and carers are involved directly in the assessment and discharge process. Carry on the good practice of further developing a multi disciplinary IDT who collaboratively work together to improve coordination between different services to ensure the safe and timely discharge of patients from Salisbury District Hospital. Continue to work with partners to reduce delayed transfers of care, particularly cross border partners. Continue the good practice of initiatives such as Home First, Home from Hospital service and ‘end PJ Paralysis’ and ensure that all ward staff are aware of their existence. Improve communication between patients, families, adult social care and other professionals. Review and amend patient information using Healthwatch Wiltshire’s guidance as a starter.