Public Meeting: Hospital Discharge - "Harnessing the Power of your Experience" Workshop Report

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Summary of report content

Healthwatch North Somerset held a public meeting on 1 October 2014 to provide members of the public with the opportunity to voice their views, personal experiences and suggest improvements that could be made to the existing discharge processes.  34 people attended.

In conclusion, any stay in hospital for a patient and family is stressful. While there are many complex aspects to consider when it comes to hospital discharge, all agreed that the best discharge focuses on a consistent, holistic approach. The welfare of the patient, and the focus on their discharge, should be at the top of the agenda from the point of admission. A carefully co-ordinated, well planned and communicated team effort will decrease anxiety and stress at the point of discharge.

No discharge process should elicit comments such as ‘the family was not listened to’ or ‘I felt belittled’ or leave a patient feeling they were not listened to or were deprived of their dignity. The feedback at the workshop indicates there is room for improvement, and that much of the improvement is achievable and affordable.

The report includes three recommendations to improve the discharge process.  

 

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General details

Report title 
Public Meeting: Hospital Discharge - "Harnessing the Power of your Experience" Workshop Report
Local Healthwatch 
Healthwatch North Somerset
Date of publication 
Friday, 27 November, 2015
Date evidence capture began 
Wednesday, 1 October, 2014
Date evidence capture finished 
Wednesday, 1 October, 2014
Key themes 
Communication between staff and patients
Discharge
Holistic support
Information providing
Service delivery organisation and staffing
Healthwatch reference number 
Rep-6696

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken at the request of another organisation? 
No
Primary research method used 
Deliberative event
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced? 
N/A

Details of health and care services included in the report

Secondary care services 
Discharge lounge
Inpatient care
Social care services 
After care

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views 
34
Age group 
Not known
Gender 
Not known
Ethnicity 
Not known
Sexual orientation 
Not known
Does the information include public's views? 
Yes
Does the information include carer's, friend's or relative's views? 
Not known
Does the information include staff's views? 
No
What was the main sentiment of the people who shared their views? 
Mixed

Outcomes and impact

Were recommendations made by local Healthwatch in the report? 
Yes
Does the information contain a response from a provider? 
No
Is there evidence of impact in the report? 
No
Is there evidence of impact external to the report? 
Not known

Network Impact
Relationships that exist locally, regionally, nationally have benefited from the work undertaken in the report
 
Implied Impact
Where it is implied that change may occur in the future as a result of Healthwatch work. This can be implied in a provider  response, press release or other source. Implied impact can become tangible impact once change has occurred.
 
Tangible Impact
There is evidence of change that can be directly attributed to Healthwatch work undertaken in the report.