Care Assessment and Hospital Discharge

Created: 7/10/2024

Care Assessment and Hospital Discharge for Self-Funding Patients

Lynsey, our Senior Social Worker, has a wealth of experience ensuring the safe and effective discharge of people from acute hospitals.  Prior to joining the team at Simply Social Work she managed a large acute hospital discharge team. Lynsey recalls a recent instruction that drew on her skills and expertise.

"Recently, we have accepted a referral for a gentleman who had been re-admitted into hospital after a ‘failed discharge’. He had reluctantly decided it was time for him to be cared for in a care setting, rather than return home, a difficult decision to make. Having been instructed by his solicitor I was able to visit him in hospital quickly, to reduce infection risk and to try and ensure he moved while his mood was still positive.

A swift brokerage search of suitable care settings in his local area provided a range of options and ongoing liaison with his friends enabled them to visit on his behalf to ensure it was a place he would feel comfortable. A prolonged hospital stay can be challenging and often people in this situation can quickly see their mood deteriorate, by visiting him twice, ensuring his assessment was shared with the appropriate local services, we managed to help him move to a nursing care setting very close to his home and social network. He will remain in a place he knows well, and he will still have visits from his friends and neighbours, allowing that contact to continue and avoiding social isolation.

Being able to liaise between him, his friends and his solicitor, the hospital and the care home, he is now able to move into his new home.  We provided a person-centred assessment, with all the personal details that really matter included, his care will be provided by staff who will really have a sense of who he is, his achievements and his illustrious career in broadcasting.

There are many visits and people I get to meet in the course of my work, and I am always so glad to meet them (I love a good chat), but this will be a memorable experience. The opportunity to learn of VE day, to hear accounts of days gone by in the world of broadcasting was a real delight. I am always glad to be there in the crisis, helping people deal with big organisations like the NHS or local authorities, helping navigate a way through to calmer waters. I hope he settles in soon, and that those caring for him realise just what an incredible gentleman they get to support and care for."

It is never just a care assessment or mental capacity assessment. Moving into a care or nursing home is not a last resort. With the right care and support, it can be an opportunity to embrace the next stage of life.