Sandwell has one of the biggest reductions in delayed transfers of care over the last 12 months, as reported in the Health Service Journal on Tuesday 16th February.
Speaking about the improvement that is enabling patients to move out of hospital when they are medically fit, Chief Executive, Toby Lewis said that “we sense a real commitment from others, including the new Council leadership in Birmingham, to learn from work in Sandwell, and to try and ensure equity across the half a million people we serve together. Right Care, Right Here is a partnership committed to making a difference and eliminating avoidable variation.
“We work closely with patients and their relatives as soon as they arrive at the hospital and set an expected date of discharge. On arrival every patient is given a leaflet that explains the steps we will take to get patients ready to go home or to another facility. We spend time with patients and families showing them different community facilities on mobile devices so that they can get an idea of each facility before making a decision. We also make sure that the right care arrangements are in place for each patient before they leave. We write to patients to set out what they need to do, where there have been delays. Only 25 patients have reached the later stages of that process in the last 18 months, and in only one case have we needed to commence, but not proceed with, the steps leading to eviction. By starting the conversations sooner, we are seeing a really positive effect for patients, staff and carers.”
Chief Operating Officer, Rachel Barlow, said “The Trust is already delivering a partnership model with two independent providers of care services, Midland Heart and Sevacare. We have funded innovation and training in local care homes, and expect to play a larger role in the sector in the years ahead, as we work to meet demand, and address the issues arising from the new National Living Wage, which we strongly support.”