Greater emphasis has been placed on involving carers at the admission and discharge stage to reduce the likelihood of readmission and ease the process of resettling patients back home.
Two non-clinical members of staff have been appointed to the team. Their role is to find out as much as possible about the needs of patients and carers at the point of admission. Appropriate information, advice and support is then be provided.
This includes details of support available in the wider community, as well as what to expect from the hospital process and what is available to carers when they are in hospital.
Links are also made with social work and health professionals, along with referrals to outside organisations offering support to carers.
Carers are given the opportunity to complete a booklet known as ’About Me’, providing a summary of the patient’s needs. Information about likes, dislikes and preferred methods of communication is included, plus any specific behaviour that staff need to aware off.
The booklet is held in the patient’s notes and a Forget me Knot flower sticker placed above their bed. This indicates to staff there is information they need to familiarise themselves with.
Although the pilot runs until March 2012, early indications show the quality of care for patients, and discharge procedures have already improved. Awareness is also growing among internal and external agencies of the range of support services needed.University of Worcester is evaluating the pilot. The Trust plans to extend the service to the county’s community hospitals.
Contact: Rachel Fowler, Carers Unit Manager, telephone: 01905 728824, email: RFowler@worcestershire.gov.uk
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