WEDNESDAY, 20 DECEMBER, 2023

For immediate release. Accompanying video from Dr William Anderson and Lynne Morman can be found at https://youtu.be/gkIBlkJpn6I

Help us get your loved ones home from hospital without delay

NHS Tayside teams are asking patients and the public to take some small steps to help get people home from hospital as soon as they are well enough.

Dr William Anderson, respiratory consultant and clinical director for winter, said, “Our hospitals, GP surgeries and out-of-hours service are getting busy now we are into the winter period, and we need support from you so that we can continue to give the best possible care and treatment to everyone who needs it in the weeks ahead.

“When people need admitted to hospital, it’s important that we get them back home as early and as safely as possible, and this may mean that they continue to recover from their illness at home. Spending more time in hospital than necessary can lead to people quickly losing their independence, particularly those who are older or more frail. And we need to make sure that we always have beds available for people who are acutely unwell so we can start any treatment they need as soon as possible.

“Because of this we aim to discharge patients as soon as they are well enough, with community care and rehabilitation services if needed to support them at home. This is our ‘Discharge Without Delay’ programme.

“If you are admitted to hospital, the multidisciplinary team on the ward will work with you and your family, early in your stay, to agree your planned date of discharge. This will give you and your health and social care teams time to put in place any support you may need when you leave hospital.

“We do this all year round, but it’s particularly important in the winter months when demand on our services is higher.

“If you have a relative, friend or neighbour in hospital, there are some simple things you can do to help get them home as soon as possible once they are ready to be discharged. If you can pick them up from hospital and get them home safely, this will allow the ambulance service to focus on more urgent journeys. The earlier in the day you collect them gives our ward staff more time to make arrangements for the next patient who needs to be admitted.

“Also, you should make sure the person’s heating is on, there is plenty of food and other essentials at home and they have all the medication they need. Of course, if this isn’t possible, we will make sure that we get a plan in place to support you.

“A safe discharge which enables someone to return to live independently in their own home is the best outcome for everyone so we need you all to work with us to achieve this.”

You can find out more about discharge planning, and why it’s important that we all do our bit to get loved ones home as early and safely as possible, at www.nhsinform.scot/home-first

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718