Hospital Discharge 2024

This is a report by Healthwatch Halton and Healthwatch Warrington.

This project was identified as a priority by both Healthwatch Halton and Healthwatch Warrington following local feedback and national reports on the subject indicating some of the current challenges faced by our local hospitals. It was also chosen because it has a strategic alignment with local system development. There is both national and local interest in improving the experience people have of discharges from hospital. 

In addition to carrying out a survey to gather the views of those who had been discharged from Halton and Warrington Hospitals, a series of joint visits was also carried out to the two hospitals to speak with patients and their families / carers awaiting discharge.

Key findings include

• While overall 52% felt positively about the discharge process, one in four patients were dissatisfied with the experience.
• 43% of carers were unhappy with the discharge and follow-up care of their loved ones.
• Not all patients were aware if they had a care plan or not. If they had a care plan, they were often unaware of what was included. 
• There is a lack of consistency in conversations around any support needed upon discharge. One in four patients said they were discharged without being asked if there were people to support them when they got home.

There are recommendations in this report.

There are no follow up actions in this report. However the provider has responded and said they will take a review.