Royal Surrey Introduces ‘Discharge Checklist’ To Help Prepare Patients Leaving Hospital

Published on: 7 Apr, 2018
Updated on: 7 Apr, 2018

By Will Parsons

The Royal Surrey County Hospital is introducing a “discharge checklist” to help patients, their families and carers prepare for leaving hospital.

The checklist was developed by Healthwatch Surrey, an “independent champion” and watchdog that collects public views on Surrey’s health and social care services, in order to increase public involvement in decision making and to improve provision.

The checklist, named Leaving Hospital: What do I need to know?, was developed after a recent report from Healthwatch Surrey found that a lack of clear communication was causing worry for patients planning to leave hospital.

Key issues included poor plans for transport home and relatives not receiving information about changes to care, such as new medication being prescribed. It even found that one patient was sent home without a house key.

The checklist was developed in collaboration with staff and patients at the Royal Surrey, and local charities including Age UK Surrey and the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People. It covers various provisions for discharge, including symptoms to look out for, changes to medication, and how the patient will get home.

The chief executive of Healthwatch Surrey, Kate Scribbins, said: “We are delighted that hospitals and local decision makers are recognising the potential benefits of this checklist for patients, their carers and families. Improving communication will reduce the worry and anxiety many people feel in hospital and reduce the likelihood of a patient being readmitted which will help the NHS too.”

The Royal Surrey County Hospital will be an early adopter of the checklist, for the benefit of its elderly patients.

The lead nurse for patient flow and discharge at Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Clare Tickner: said: “It’s been a really useful experience working alongside Heathwatch Surrey in the development of the discharge checklist.

“We are very excited to be the first to pilot it on our Older Persons Unit and anticipate that it will help patients and their relatives prepare for discharge. It’s a great tool to prompt questions and make sure that everything is in place before any patient leaves hospital.”

The checklist and report, titled It’s difficult to know what to ask, can be found at the Healthwatch Surrey website: http://www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk

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