Colleagues from across the trust joined CEO Owen, volunteers and the Chief Executive of Calderdale and Kirklees Age Concern to formally open our new discharge lounge - run by Age UK in partnership with CHFT.

The new Libby and Bertie * lounge (now next to ward 18 at HRI) has been open for a couple of months and has recently moved to lighter and brighter space - creating a positive experience for patients when they are leaving hospital.

In a calm, pleasant and friendly environment where patients can await their onward journey home,  the lounge is staffed by Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees and volunteers who are on-hand to sit and talk to patients going home.

And by talking to people the volunteers are able to identify where there may be gaps, such as providing benefits advice, referring them for further support, or just a simple task of helping them write a shopping list or contacting a relative to let them know what's happening. They're also able to meet the Home from Hospital Seamless Service. 

Owen opened the lounge with local Age UK CEO Hilary Thompson and said "It's fair to say we're all here to deliver compassionate care to our local communities, and this lounge is a great example of how we can do that working in partnership. I really hope we'll be able to roll-this out more widely because feedback has already shown that the service is really important to patients and their relatives and friends.

The lounge area has a television, snacks and drinks, magazines, and even games to help people relax while they await their transport home.

You can find the Libby and Bertie Lounge on Block 2 – Floor 2 next to ward 18. Age UK wanted to choose a name that was non-clinical and they chose Libby and Bertie as a play on the word liberty as patients are going home.