Social Care
Discharge planning
A summary of the Department of Health’s guidance Ready to go? Planning the discharge and the transfer of patients from hospital and intermediate care
This guide has been supported by
RCN PUBLISHING ESSENTIAL GUIDE
ESSENTIAL GUIDE
Written by Hazel Heath, independent nurse consultant for older people, Deborah Sturdy, nurse adviser older people at the Department of Health, and Amanda Cheesley, service manager intermediate care, South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust
Contents
3 3 3 4 6 13 14
Introduction Department of Health guidance The ten operating principles Person-centred care and patient empowerment Ready to go? The ten steps Improving your practice References
RCN Publishing Company Ltd The Heights, 59-65 Lowlands Road Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3AW For further information contact laura.downes@rcnpublishing.co.uk Cover photograph: iStockphoto
To subscribe call 0345 772 6100 www.nursing-standard.co.uk www.nursingolderpeople.co.uk www.emergencynurse.co.uk NSEG R2GO
© Copyright RCN Publishing Company Ltd 2010. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.
2 spring :: 2010
Introduction Being admitted to hospital can be frightening. In addition to the physical ill-health or trauma that triggered admission, hospital environments can be daunting and confusing, particularly for people who are ill, frail or vulnerable. Patients have consistently reported feeling ‘anxious, insignificant and powerless’ (Department of Health (DH) 2010). Care transfer is an essential part of care management in any setting and it bestows responsibilities on organisations, systems and individuals. Smooth and effective care transfer ensures that health and social care systems are proactive in supporting individuals, their families and carers. It also
A summary of the Department of Health’s guidance Ready to go? Planning the discharge and the transfer of patients from hospital and intermediate care
This guide has been supported by
RCN PUBLISHING ESSENTIAL GUIDE
ESSENTIAL GUIDE
Written by Hazel Heath, independent nurse consultant for older people, Deborah Sturdy, nurse adviser older people at the Department of Health, and Amanda Cheesley, service manager intermediate care, South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust
Contents
3 3 3 4 6 13 14
Introduction Department of Health guidance The ten operating principles Person-centred care and patient empowerment Ready to go? The ten steps Improving your practice References
RCN Publishing Company Ltd The Heights, 59-65 Lowlands Road Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3AW For further information contact laura.downes@rcnpublishing.co.uk Cover photograph: iStockphoto
To subscribe call 0345 772 6100 www.nursing-standard.co.uk www.nursingolderpeople.co.uk www.emergencynurse.co.uk NSEG R2GO
© Copyright RCN Publishing Company Ltd 2010. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.
2 spring :: 2010
Introduction Being admitted to hospital can be frightening. In addition to the physical ill-health or trauma that triggered admission, hospital environments can be daunting and confusing, particularly for people who are ill, frail or vulnerable. Patients have consistently reported feeling ‘anxious, insignificant and powerless’ (Department of Health (DH) 2010). Care transfer is an essential part of care management in any setting and it bestows responsibilities on organisations, systems and individuals. Smooth and effective care transfer ensures that health and social care systems are proactive in supporting individuals, their families and carers. It also
References: 14 spring :: 2010 National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (2008) Passing the Baton: A Practical Guide to Effective Discharge Planning