Hospital discharge report

Healthwatch Darlington produced a report following information gathered from their ‘What’s important to you?’ survey and community outreach where people were able to leave comments about services. The information gathered from the survey was fed into their decision-making process for the work plan 2018-2019 and because of the concerns raised in relation to Hospital Discharge it was decided to look into this further and to produce a report.

Healthwatch used several different methods of gathering and analysing the information which has enabled us to capture quantitative and qualitative data which is important when exploring the complexities of a patients discharge journey. For instance,ma survey was produced and launched on Facebook, Twitter, on the Healthwatch Darlington website and in our own Healthwatch e-Bulletin. Health Connectors also took the survey out to events and community outreach sessions around the town directly talking to individuals. Two focus groups were conducted with Headway Darlington and Wesley Court Community Group. They also gathered professional engagement feedback and observations from wards 23, 43 and the discharge lounge located at Darlington Memorial Hospital, using questionnaires, observations and surveys.

This report highlights the lack of communication regarding all aspects of discharge from those working within the area and the patients, relatives and carers going through the discharge process.