With our hospitals under extra pressure, and with Christmas just 10 days away, we’re asking colleagues to work with patients, families and carers to support them to return to the place they call home as quickly and safely as possible.
Associate Director of Nursing, Renee Comerford, said: "The range of services we offer patients is helping us get people cared for at home much quicker. If I had a choice, I’d much rather be in my own home environment rather than a hospital setting. And with Christmas just around the corner, I’d want to be able to be with my loved ones, enjoying their company and some Christmas TV.
“Every single day is precious, so please talk to your patients and find out what's important to them and help us continue to show how we can all demonstrate real patient-centred care."
How the Virtual Ward can help care for patients in their own home
Our Virtual Ward is a combined hospital and community healthcare service. It extends hospital treatment into the community to allow earlier discharges from hospital. If after an assessment, a patient can be safely managed away from the hospital environment, and the patient and their families agree, their care can be undertaken by the Virtual Ward.
Can the family or carers help?
If a reablement package or package of care is arranged for after Christmas, can the family step in now and offer support in the interim?
A few hours away from hospital on Christmas Day
If your patient is well enough, even for a short visit to family - can you accommodate it? A few hours may be all they need away from our hospital walls to help them feel brighter.
Are those tests reason enough to keep patients in hospital?
If patients are awaiting diagnostic tests, such as bloods, is it really vital they remain in hospital? Is an option to support an earlier discharge and ask them to attend as an outpatient? Or could they be seen in the community with a follow up with their GP or under the Virtual Ward service?
Seamless Home from Hospital can support transport, with skilled Age UK staff on hand when there are mobility issues
Community Transport Calderdale is working in partnership with Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees to provide the ‘Home from Hospital’ service.
Seamless Home from Hospital is a free service offering support and transport to elderly (people aged 50 and over) and vulnerable patients in Calderdale and parts of Kirklees. It must be booked by our colleagues. Read more on their website.
Extra advice and support from the Discharge Team
The team are there to offer extra advice and guidance, such as community support on leaving hospital. Please contact them if you need support.
Thank you to colleagues for your support in getting our patients home for Christmas.
Pictured are HRI Discharge Lounge colleagues, Laura Bates, Vigilant Sibanda and Faustina Ampofo. Please contact the lounge to see if your patient is eligible as soon as possible, as this will support us to free up beds across the hospital. They have some bedded side rooms so they are able to take a more diverse group of patients.
- The Lounge is open Monday to Friday 07:00 to 19:30.
- The mobile for referrals is: 07379 061905
- The extension numbers are: 2290 and 7405