Collaboration: the key to unlocking patient flow
System wide collaboration across hospitals, social care, families and providers is essential to solving patient flow challenges. The brunt of patient flow issues are ultimately felt by patients. The backdoor needs to be flexible to pressure to avoid the cycle of spikes in winter flu or COVID-19, which will place further pressure on ambulance services. We estimate it currently takes 12 days to discharge a patient after they are medically optimised.*
*Based on CHS Healthcare Hospital Discharge Survey (May 2022)
We asked front line staff in hospitals and care homes about their experience of patient flow
84%
of hospital staff say delays in discharge cause poor patient flow
92%
say that engaging family early on makes for successful discharge
49%
Of hospital staff said that admin and paper work causes delay in the discharge process
51%
Of the time expected discharge date is changed because patients require additional support
75%
Of care home staff said that better discharge planning prior to being medically optimised for discharge would benefit the patient
