Spending Christmas in hospital may be necessary for some but, for most, home is the best place to be.
If you have a loved one or family member in hospital, help us get them home this Christmas if they are well enough to leave our care.
It’s much better for a patient’s physical and mental wellbeing to leave hospital as soon as they are medically fit for going home. People usually recover faster and more fully at home, and our discharge teams will make sure they have all the support they need to do so.
The benefits of continuing recovery at home, where patients are in a more familiar and relaxed environment, are huge, especially with the love and support of their families and friends.
At this festive time of year, it is even more important that we avoid anyone unnecessarily staying in hospital when they could be at home enjoying Christmas with loved ones.
Colleagues across UHSussex are working closely with patients to plan for them to safely leave hospital, ensuring they are medically fit to go home for Christmas.
By getting patients who are ready to leave hospital back home in time for Christmas, we can then make space on our wards to care for the growing number of people waiting to be admitted, either in an emergency or for a planned operation.
What you can do to help:
If you have a family member, a friend or a neighbour in hospital, there are a number of things you can do to support them leaving hospital, including:
- Staying in contact with the ward they are on so everyone is clear on the expected date of going home.
- Supporting with any necessary arrangements to provide suitable clothing and shoes for the journey home and understanding ongoing medication needs.
- Organising the patient’s transport home – NHS funded transport is only available to those who have a medical or physical need or are going to another NHS or social care service. In other circumstances, it would be encouraged and appreciated if family or friends could support with transport.
- Making sure the place that they call home is warm and has basic supplies like milk, tea, and bread ready for their arrival.
- There are also a number of voluntary services available in the community that can assist with getting patients’ home, please contact the ward staff for further information.
If you have a family member or loved one ready to leave hospital, please speak to ward staff about how you can help.
Voluntary services in the community:
St Richard’s
Take Home and Settle Service
This service supports older people aged 65+ who live alone to enable a timely discharge. They will be escorted home after discharge from ward stays or from A&E, and immediate support will be provided.
Monday to Friday between 11am to 5pm
Saturday and Sunday between 10am to 1pm
For information and to make a referral, call 01903 792721 or email: [email protected] You can also visit their website.
Support at Home After Hospital Service
This service helps older people aged 65+ who live alone to regain independence after a hospital stay. It also supports family and friend carers aged 18+ who have been in hospital themselves or their cared for have just come out of hospital. A volunteer will visit for up to six weeks following discharge and will provide practical help and emotional support.
For more information and to make a referral, call 01243 793602 or email: [email protected] You can also visit their website.
Worthing
Take Home and Settle Service
Service runs as above.
Monday to Friday from 11am to 5pm and weekends from 12pm to 3pm.
The service will run the same hours during Christmas and New Year.
For information and to make a referral, call 01903 717130 or email: [email protected] You can also visit their website.
Support at Home after Hospital Service
Service runs as above.
Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30 pm
Please note this service will be closed from the 23 December to 2 January. For information and to make a referral, call 01903 717130 or email: [email protected] You can also visit their website.
Royal Sussex County
British Red Cross – Assisted Discharge and Settling Service
This service provides a safe and timely transportation home for patients over 18, reducing the demand on hospital transport.
The Settling in Service supports keeping patients well at home through personalised support and linking into the wider system as appropriate i.e., social prescribing.
The Assisted Discharge Service is open 365 days a year with full crew capacity.
For more information and to make a referral, call 07711 851321 for both the transport and Settling Service.
Princess Royal
Age UK
Any support or assistance in taking patients home who are due to be discharge (not complex patient) and also provide a settling service.
Opening :
Age UK contact number for all services is 0800 019 310 open from 9am to 4pm.
Take home and settle contact number is 01903 717 130 open from 9am to 2pm on Friday 22/12/23.
All services will closed from tomorrow Friday afternoon and be back on 2nd of January, 2024
0800 678 1602 is the National Age UK number for information and advice and is open from 8am to 7pm every day.