It's always great to pass on success - especially when it means better care for our patients.

So this week it's  hats off to our discharge coordinators. At a time when we are used to hearing media stories of patients having to remain in hospital  as the social care package isn't always there in time  - CHFT is bucking the trend.

Recent data shows that the number  the number of patients who have stayed with us for more than 50 days is now  lower than at any point in 2016 and has halved from February 2016. The current figure is 36.

The improvement has been the result of collaborative work to help patients leave hospital when their medical care is completed.

In order to achieve this improvement, the discharge coordinators have been asked to focus on people who need a ‘little bit extra’ when leaving hospital.

Discharge Coordinator at HRI, Verity Bates, said: "Often people get stuck at the final hurdle, usually when they need some social help or further care. As a discharge coordinator I can help everyone to be pulling in the same direction and getting things right for the patient.

 Discharge Sister Gillian Sutulic, added:  ‘It’s important to realise that leaving hospital can be a difficult and complex process for some of our patients. Our job as a discharge team is to help. That’s helping patients, colleagues and partners. It means a lot that the data shows we’re making a difference.’