Hospital patients in Glasgow should expect to be discharged before noon this winter with the healthboard encouraging families to make sure arrangements are in place to facilitate the move.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have launched the 'Home for Lunch' campaign to encourage and support pre-noon discharge for those ready to home wherever possible.
It specifically encourages families to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place to get their loved ones back into a home before 12pm.
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It's hoped the push will improve patient flow through hospitals and positively impact overall patient care. By freeing up hospital beds, the healthboard has said it will allow Acute Medical Assessment (AMU) patients to move into a specialist ward to get the right team around them for their care needs, A&E patients requiring rapid assessments to move into the AMU for treatment, ambulances waiting be able to transfer patients into an A&E care environment and will free up ambulances to respond to new emergency calls.
As part of the campaign, patients and carers are being asked to check when they’re getting home so that appropriate arrangements can be put in place to prevent any delays. This includes making sure transport is in place, ensuring they have access to their accommodation and appropriate clothing, and letting them know they will be moved to the discharge lounge at 10am on the day.
Scott Davidson, Deputy Medical Director for Acute Services at NHSGGC, said: “We’re well aware of the challenges facing the health care system and Home for Lunch is an initiative I think we can all get behind.
"No one wants to be in hospital any longer than necessary and similarly, no one wants to wait extended periods for treatment in A&E. If we can improve the efficiency of our discharges we know the positive impact this has on both the patients going home, but also the rate we can then look at treating the rest of our patients, so it’s in everyone’s interest to get Home for Lunch wherever possible.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf added: "We know that delays in discharge are adding to the pressure already on our services and the Scottish Government fully supports NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s ‘Home for Lunch’ initiative.
“This isn’t about discharging patients before they’re ready to go home, but making sure we remove any barriers for those who are ready so they can make the transition back home as seamless as possible, as early as possible.
“It’s good for the patient, and it supports patient flow right through our healthcare system to the ambulances and first responders out in our communities.”
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