Hospital discharge during COVID-19
A new report from Healthwatch England and the British Red Cross looks at how well the new hospital discharge policy is working for patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
In March 2020, the Government introduced a new hospital discharge policy to help the NHS free up beds by getting people out of hospital quickly. This meant anyone who may need out-of-hospital support to help them recover would now have their needs assessed after being discharged, rather than in hospital.
The report shows significant numbers of people are not receiving follow-up support after being discharged from hospital under new policy, leading to unmet needs. Read a summary of the report below.
What did people tell us?
Overall patients and families were very positive about healthcare staff, praising their efforts during such a difficult time.
However, while the speed at which people were discharged from hospital was important, it often led to a lack of support for some patients leaving hospital.
Key findings
- 82% of respondents did not receive a follow-up visit and assessment at home and almost one in five of these reported an unmet care need.
- Some people felt their discharge was rushed, with around one in five (19%) feeling unprepared to leave hospital.
- Over a third (35%) of people were not given a contact who they could get in touch with for further advice after discharge, despite this being part of the guidance.
- Overall patients and families were very positive about healthcare staff, praising their efforts during such a difficult time.
- Around a third (30%) of people faced an issue with delayed COVID-19 test results, potentially putting family and carers at risk, or in a care home, other residents and staff.
What are we calling for?
To improve hospital discharge for patients, their carers and healthcare professionals, ahead of winter and a second wave of COVID-19 admissions, we’re calling on the health and care sector to:
- Roll out post-discharge check-ins by phone or in person
- Develop a discharge checklist, including questions about transport and equipment needs
- Improve communication by assigning a single point of contact for patients and carers
- Link patients to voluntary sector partners or community pharmacists to deliver medicine and avoid delays.
- Boost community care capacity and recognise the value of voluntary care sector in hospital discharge.
Read 590 people’s stories of leaving hospital during COVID-19
