Enter and view: Reablement Hubs

Healthwatch Liverpool carried out Enter and View visits to the Sedgemoor, Granby and Venmore Reablement Hubs in 2017 as part of its wider work on hospital discharge. The Hubs provide short-term rehabilitation and support for people leaving hospital who are not yet ready to return home independently. Healthwatch found all three services to be well staffed, professionally run and focused on helping people regain independence. Service users generally spoke positively about the care they received and the support offered by staff and therapists. 

A key strength was the integrated approach to care. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and healthcare staff worked closely together to help people recover and return home safely. Service users praised staff attitudes, describing them as friendly, supportive and encouraging. Most people felt involved in their rehabilitation and understood the goal of returning to independent living where possible.

The report highlighted the important role the Hubs play in reducing pressure on hospitals and supporting safe discharge. However, staff identified some challenges, including delays arranging home care packages, care home placements and home adaptations. They also reported that discharge information from hospitals was not always complete or accurate, creating difficulties when planning support for new admissions. Healthwatch also heard concerns about people sometimes arriving at the Hubs late in the day when they were tired and less able to settle in. 

Healthwatch concluded that the Reablement Hubs were delivering high-quality care and rehabilitation, and made no direct recommendations for the services themselves. Instead, the report highlighted wider system issues around hospital discharge, information sharing, staffing stability and care package arrangements. Healthwatch identified the Hubs as an example of effective partnership working and an important part of Liverpool’s hospital discharge system.