Minutes:
The
Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Adults and Community which
informed Members of the outcomes of the project to develop and implement
Integrated Hospital Discharge Teams across both
The Board was advised that most people spend a very short period of
their lives in hospital; their discharge followed a fairly predictable pattern
and they usually returned home. For those people already in the care system, or
for those who would need ongoing support when they leave hospital, discharge
processes should ensure continuity of the right care in the right place the
first time. However, it was highlighted
that achieving a safe and timely discharge from hospital was a complex
activity. The pressure to discharge or transfer patients and release beds,
together with a trend towards shorter lengths of stay, meant that there was
less time for assessment and discharge or transfer planning. Effective discharge and transfer planning was
essential.
The Board was further advised that a couple of areas of concern had been
highlighted in relation to the safe and timely discharge of patients from both
of our acute hospitals. Therefore a
project group had been established, in 2009, across the wider partnership,
including Halton Council, Warrington & Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation
Trust (“WHHFT”), Whiston Hospital, NHS Halton &
St Helens, NHS Warrington, St Helens Council and Warrington Council, Knowsley Council and Knowsley
PCT.
The group, had been asked to review the current
systems and processes in relation to Hospital discharges with the overall aim
of identifying ways to ensure safe, timely and high quality discharges of
patients with complex needs, whilst reducing average length of stay, excess bed
days, re-admissions within 28 days and discharges direct to long term care.
It was reported that work carried out by the project team suggested that
the current process was complex, that the existing system for supported
discharge was highly complicated in that numerous teams and individuals could
be involved in the process, and that Ward staff had to deal with very different
systems across the different Boroughs. In addition, as the length of stay
reduced and throughput increased, it became increasingly challenging for ward
staff to navigate the discharge process in a timely manner. In addition, there
was also duplication and hand offs and performance issues.
The proposal from the project group was that an Integrated Discharge
Team be developed in each Hospital. The team would consist of employees from
each of the partners organisations; Warrington and Whiston
Hospitals, NHS Halton and St Helens, St Helens Council, Knowsley
Council, Knowsley PCT, Warrington Council, Warrington
PCT and Halton Council.
This team would operate as a single point of referral for all patients
within the Hospital, irrespective of which Borough they were resident in, the
persons discharge would then be planned irrespective of whether it was a health
or social care discharge.
The integrated team would comprise of discharge workers, discharge team
specialists and support staff, all working under a senior team manager. Staff
would be drawn in from both Health and Social Care (within existing resources)
to create a multidisciplinary team. The Staff within the existing teams would
be integrated to form this single team.
However they would not be requested to change employers, a management
agreement would be drawn up and signed off by all the partners.
Following discussion Members
requested that this item be reported again in 12 months’ time.
RESOLVED: That
1)
the
report and comments made be noted; and
2) the Board receives an update on the Integrated Hospital Discharge Teams in 12 months’ time.
Supporting documents: