Charting the experiences of people being discharged from hospital on the Pathway 3 care route

The project was identified as a priority by Healthwatch Bristol’s Prioritisation Panel and chosen because it has a strategic alignment with local system development. There is national interest in improving the quality of discharges from hospital. Healthwatch Bristol received 141 responses to the surveys and from these conducted 11 structured interviews and a further 15 open conversations.

The transition from one care location to another was the biggest area of concern and includes stories of delays, poor information, and distress. Patients and families want to be involved in conversations about their care and to be informed as early as possible in the process about what the possibilities are.

Care Plans are an integral part of the communication and planning process. 84% of those with one, told us no care options were discussed. Patients, families, and carers said that they were not always sure who to contact if they had concerns. People felt that members of the same team worked well together within the same setting but that this was not usually the case across different teams and separate locations.

Over 40% of staff reported that they sometimes felt that pressure to reduce the length of stay impacted upon the quality of care they gave, and that resources and equipment were often inadequate for patient needs.

Moving between wards during the hospital stay was highlighted as an issue for by both families and staff.

The effect of Covid-19 on availability of social workers for these patients was mentioned as a concern.

The report contains 8 recommendations.